Mentoring role gives Leeds Rhinos veteran Brett Ferres a new lease of life

Ferres, 34, has played twice for Leeds since rejoining them on loan from Featherstone Rovers in August and will add experience to what is mainly a young squad for tonight’s Betfred Super League game at Warrington Wolves. The former England man made 86 appearances for Rhinos from 2016-2019 and was a Grand-Final winner three years ago.

Many of tonight’s squad were in the academy during Ferres’ previous spell at Leeds and he said: “I’d seen a lot of them come through over the last couple of years, so it’s nice to see them now getting an opportunity and getting a few games.

“Quite a few of them have matured as players and as people and physically as well. They are deserving of a chance.”

Tonight’s side is likely to be similar to the one which lost 34-6 to Catalans Dragons two weeks ago. Twelve of the French side’s points came in the final four minutes and Rhinos’ youngsters did better than the scoreline suggests.

Ferres, who played that night, added: “The circumstances are difficult when they all get thrown in at once; it is a bit of sink or swim but it is a great opportunity for them. What you get when you put young kids in there, who are hungry to succeed and get a chance, is some real enthusiasm. They are not a name, without being disrespectful; people don’t know them and they can go out there with a bit of pressure off themselves. They can go out there and express themselves and have a good crack at it. That’s certainly what they did against Catalans. They came up against a strong side who spend a lot of money on the salary cap and have some fantastic players in there and they gave themselves a real shot. Hopefully they’ve shown Rich [Agar, Rhinos’ coach] and Kev [Sinfield, director of rugby] they can make it at the top level.”

The youngest player in Leeds’ squad for tonight is 16-year-old Levi Edwards, a back-rower who has been training with the first team and will join them full-time next year. He is not expected to play against Warrington, but Ferres reckons the former Siddal youngster has a big future.

“What Leeds do is they generally pick the best kids up and they have done that for years,” Ferres said. “As a young lad, most players want to play for clubs like Leeds. Levi has been really good, he has been in the system for a few weeks and applied himself really well.

“He has come in and done a good job. It is tough going in there, with so many training and so many big names, but he has fitted in really well. There’s some potential there; he is a big kid with some good skill sets.

“He is highly regarded and rated around the club and within rugby, he has probably got the world at his feet and it is up to him now to progress as a player and a person and take the opportunity he has got.”

Ferres’ top-flight career appeared to have ended when he left Rhinos 13 months ago but the loan move has given him an unexpected top-flight swansong.

“I love playing,” he said. “I have still got a real desire to play myself but, when you go out there with young lads who are really energetic, I think that rubs off on you. It works both ways; my experience rubs off on them and I can help them within the game but, obviously when you are running around with the young lads, some of them are a bit quicker and they move fast and it does energise yourself.

“You can’t buy experience but you also can’t buy that energy and what they bring.”

Ferres is contracted to Rovers for next year, but the loan move has given him an opportunity to stay match fit and, at the same time, provide Leeds with experienced cover if they need it. Featherstone have not played since a Coral Challenge Cup win over Hunslet in March and Ferres said: “It is pretty hard when all you know is rugby league. I have played it for 15 or 16 years - or something, I have lost count - and you don’t do it to train every week, you do it to play at the end of the week.

“It is great being around the lads, but I want to play. If anyone had said you’ll have been there six weeks and played three games, I would have bitten their hand off. It is what I want to do, so I am enjoying the role I am doing. It is nice to keep busy and nice to play rugby.”

Rhinos have been in a strange situation this week, preparing for two games at once.

Ferres, who is ineligible for Saturday’s Challenge Cup final against Salford Red Devils, insisted he’ll do all he can to help in the build up to Wembley and has no regrets about not being involved.

“I am grateful for the chance I have got,” he said.

“The club brought me in to do a job and a role and that’s what I am fulfilling.

“I will be watching the game this Saturday from home like many others, wanting them to win it.”

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