'We will be better' - Liam Sutcliffe's pledge as Leeds Rhinos begin pre-season
The countdown to the new season has begun - and Leeds Rhinos’ target is at least a place in Betfred Super League’s top-four.
After resurgent Rhinos finished fifth last year and won the Coral Challenge Cup, centre Liam Sutcliffe says coach Richard Agar’s young squad are highly motivated to keep moving forward.
A nine-week pre-season began today (Monday) and Sutcliffe said: “Coming from the 2019 season to last year, it was an improvement - now obviously we want to go again and improve on last year.
“We won a trophy last year, but we’re not going to be happy with just winning one trophy.
“We want to keep going and be consistent with being up there challenging.”
Rhinos have made just one signing since their 2020 campaign ended on November 13, adding New Zealand Test prop Zane Tetevano - who has yet to arrive in this country - on a three-year contract, though Bodene Thompson’s loan spell has been converted into a deal lasting until the end of 2022.
Stevie Ward, Adam Cuthbertson, Ava Seumanufagai and Rhyse Evans have all left from last year’s squad and James Harrison and Brett Ferres are back at Featherstone Rovers following their loan spell.
But Sutcliffe insisted: “I think we will be better.”
He said: “The young lads got a run out last year in a fair few games and with how well they performed, it is going to make competition for places this year all the more exciting.
“They played against some top sides and really challenged and held their own in those games so it is only going to make our team better when they are challenging everyone for places.
“That is going to keep everyone on their toes and make sure everyone is training hard and fighting for their place.
“That is only going to be good for Rich. It is going to give him a few headaches this year.”
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