In-form Leeds Rhinos winger Ash Handley paid an emotional tribute to much-loved club legend Rob Burrow following Saturday’s Magic Weekend victory over Castleford Tigers.
Burrow’s daughters Macy and Maya visited Rohan Smith team in their St James’ Park dressing room to explain the special shirt they had designed for the occasion – to raise awareness and funds for their father’s Motor Neurone Disease campaign – before watching on as the Rhinos cruised to a 34-20 success.
Handley scored one of Leeds’ six tries and then spoke of his admiration for ex-team-mate Burrow, who helped Leeds to their eighth Super League title in his final game for the club in the 2017 Grand Final win over Castleford Tigers.
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“Rob means so much to me, it’s unbelievable,” Handley told Rugby League Live.
“I played with him and I loved him because he was such a great character to be around.
“The strength that he’s got – and the strength that his girls and wife Lindsey have got as well – is incredible.
“Macy and Maya were so positive with explaining to us what they did to design the shirt and they were so happy to be out there on Saturday at Magic Weekend.
“It’s amazing and it’s such a huge honour to be part of this club given what they done to support Rob and for what Rob has done for Leeds Rhinos.”
Leeds have won four of their seven games since Smith arrived, with Saturday’s success leaving them in seventh spot – three points behind Castleford who occupy the final play-off spot.
Handley, who has scored 15 tries in 18 Super League games this season, believes his side can go on to achieve a top-six finish.
The 26-year-old homegrown winger added: “I think the big thing we can take confidence from is that when things don’t go our way we keep going.
“Against Cas on Saturday, we were 10-6 down at half-time but we bounced back in the second half and ended up running away with it.
“Things like that give you a real positivity and we will take a lot of confidence from that going into the Toulouse game this weekend. Hopefully we can get the win out there.”
Handley scored five tries in the recent win at Hull FC and crossed the line against Castleford at St James’ Park in front of England boss Shaun Wane.
Handley is keen to earn a place in the World Cup squad, saying: “I say the same things every time someone asks me.
“It’s out of my control and I don’t pick the team, but it would be a huge honour to play for England.
“I just want to focus on playing well for Leeds Rhinos and I’ve said it time and time again.
“If you’re playing well for your club, then that’s how you will get into an England side.
“That’s my main aim and everything else will take care itself.
“Am I happy with my form? I’m scoring tries but it’s not just about that.
“A massive thing is yardage carries as well and making metres in the backfield.
“If I score two tries but am not great in yardage then I would probably consider that a bad game.
“Right now, my game is quite well rounded – coming out of backfield is going quite well for me and the team is playing well, so I got on the end things to score tries as well.”
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