Leeds Rhinos: Dual-registration is keeping Harry Newman on his toes
The 19-year-old centre scored 16 tries in 12 games for Leeds’ Betfred Championship partner club Featherstone Rovers last year and has added five in four this term.
He says that ensured he was fully match fit and ready to go when called into Rhinos’ 17 for his first Super League appearance of 2019 against Hull last week.
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Hide AdNewman responded by scoring Leeds’ opening try and providing the pass for his winger Tom Briscoe to cross soon afterwards and believes he was more ready for the step up to Super League than he would have been from playing only at under-19s level.
“It has been good,” he said of his time with Rovers.
“I am keeping getting experience of playing at a higher level than academy and, with the physicality of it, it is making me a better player.”
Newman got his chance for Leeds last week when captain Kallum Watkins was sidelined by a knee injury.
He was due to be among the substitutes, but a late reshuffle – after Carl Ablett was ruled out following the warm-up – saw him called into the starting 13.
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Hide AdThere are two world-class centres, Watkins and Konrad Hurrell, ahead of Newman in Rhinos’ pecking order and he admits that is a double-edged sword.
“I am learning a lot from them,” he said.
“I do a lot of extras with them and I’ll just keep learning and progressing.
“I have just got to bide my time and, at some point, I will get my chance. I have just got to take it.”
The 34-10 defeat at KCOM Stadium made it a night to forget for the team, but Newman was pleased with his contribution.
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