Saluting Leeds Rhinos standout moments and performers from memorable and unique 2020 Super League campaign

After two seasons in the doldrums, Rhinos broke back into the big time, ending a five-year wait to regain the Coral Challenge Cup and featuring in the Betfred Super League play-offs for the first time since 2017.

Three players - Luke Gale, Harry Newman and Ash Handley - were named in the England performance squad, Handley and Konrad Hurrell both retained their place in the Super League Dream Team, Handley was the competition’s top metre maker and try-scorer and Newman was named young player of the year.

So, like recent seasons, it has been tough to pick the outstanding performers and performances, but for the right reasons this year.

Player of the year – 3rd place: Matt Prior, the Australian prop/loose-forward, had a superb debut season for Rhinos and did exactly what was asked of him when he joined them from Cronulla Sharks on a two-year contract: a high work-rate, solid defence and the occasional eye-catching offload.

2nd: Ash Handley was Rhinos’ best player in 2019 and maintained his form this year. His stats were outstanding and he scored some crucial tries, not least his Wembley brace.

1st: Brad Dwyer was a substitute in half of his 18 appearances so might be a surprising choice, but his job off the bench was to make an impact and change games and he did that.

As starting hooker he played a big role in Rhinos strong start to the campaign and then became a super-sub after the coronavirus shutdown, his pace out of dummy-half and eye for a gap getting Leeds on the front foot at times when they were struggling in games.

Clubman of the year: Rob Burrow’s day-to-day involvement with Rhinos was curtailed when he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) a year ago, but his plight served only to rally the entire club. Illness has clearly taken its toll on the former scrum-half and academy coach, but the twinkle in his eye remains and Burrow’s spirit in the face of appalling adversity is inspirational.

Special award: Kevin Sinfield played a big part in Rhinos’ revival as director of rugby, but he went on to become a national hero when he ran seven marathons in as many days earlier this month, raising more than £2.5m to support Burrow and the MND Association.

Best team performance: The 26-12 Challenge Cup semi-final win over Wigan Warriors on October 3. Against the eventual league leaders and Grand Final runners-up, Rhinos produced a wet weather masterclass. A near faultless first half opened a 20-0 interval lead and they were 26-0 ahead before Wigan scored a couple of late consolations.

Best moment (non-competitive): Burrow’s brief late cameo appearance against Bradford Bulls in his and Jamie Jones-Buchanan’s pre-season benefit match. Heartbreaking and uplifting in equal measure.

Best moment (competitive): Luke Gale’s golden point drop goal which secured a 27-26 win over Huddersfield Giants at Emerald Headingley in August. Riveting to see after Leeds trailed 26-6 with 12 minutes remaining.

Try of the year: Liam Sutcliffe, away to Wakefield Trinity on November 1. Handley snapped up a loose ball 10 metres from Leeds’ line, was dragged down by Ben Jones-Bishop inside Trinity’s 20, but managed to regain his feet, shrug off Innes Senior before off-loading to Sutcliffe who stepped inside to finish at the corner.

Most improved player: Richie Myler reinvented himself after making a surprise switch to full-back when Jack Walker was injured back in March. The 30-year-old is still learning the role, but produced a string of outstanding performances, culminating in a Lance Todd Trophy-winning display at Wembley.

Rookie of the year (fewer than 15 first-team appearances): Alex Sutcliffe, a 21-year-old centre/second-row, has been held back by some bad luck with injuries. He was a surprise selection for the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley and never let the side down, particularly with his strong front-on defence. He looks to have a bright future.

Low points ...

Worst team performance: Refreshingly, there aren’t too many to choose from, but the 48-0 home loss to St Helens in August was particularly painful.

Biggest disappointment: Stevie Ward’s continuing injury problems which restricted the newly-appointed captain to just one appearance at the start of the season and effectively ended his Rhinos career.

Unluckiest player: Jack Walker was in good form before suffering a fractured foot in March. He also underwent shoulder surgery at the end of the season.

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