Much has been made of Leeds Rhinos’ prospects for the 2022 Super League campaign following the arrival of Blake Austin, Aidan Sezer, David Fusitu’a and James Bentley.
Now all the talking must stop as Richard Agar’s players take centre stage on the field in Saturday’s opener at home to title rivals Warrington Wolves.
Here, Rugby League Live assesses the key issues facing the Rhinos boss heading into an eagerly-anticipated, historic encounter to be televised on Channel 4.
Half-back conundrum
Blake Austin’s absence this weekend has put a real dampener on things.
The script was written, the stage was set – Austin making his debut against the club where he spent the past three seasons.
Austin and Aidan Sezer versus Gareth Widdop and George Williams would have been a fantastic sub-plot.
Sadly, those match-ups will now not happen after a delay in Austin being banned for one game by the Rugby Football League.
His absence means Agar must find a replacement to play alongside Sezer – Richie Myler and Liam Sutcliffe are the two obvious candidates.
But if Harry Newman fails to recover from a hamstring injury sustained in pre-season, Sutcliffe is likely to be needed in his favoured position of centre.
Myler is also so reliable for the Rhinos at full-back that Agar may be reluctant move him into the halves – although a fit-again Jack Walker is another great option as Leeds’ last line of defence.
A big day for rugby league
Channel 4’s top brass are set to all be in attendance at Headingley as a regular Super League game is televised free-to-air on terrestrial for the first time.
It is hard not to feel that screening 10 Super League games throughout 2022 will breathe much-needed new life into the sport, and in a World Cup year too.
We should not expect Saturday’s presentation and match coverage to be entirely flawless.
After all, live broadcasts represent a huge and logistical challenge.
But there is a great presenting team which has been put in place and Mark Wilson will no doubt do a fine job as match commentator, while passion for the game drips from lead presenter Adam Hills.
It should be fun to watch and different to Sky Sports’ long-established coverage.
Bring it on.
Early opportunity to lay down a marker
Not since 2017 have Leeds Rhinos been crowned Super League champions.
Two head coaches have been sacked in the intervening period – Brian McDermott and David Furner – but Agar is patiently writing a new chapter at Headingley.
He delivered a Challenge Cup to the trophy cabinet in 2020 and, having gone within 80 minutes of the Grand Final last term, the onus is now on Leeds to go all the way to Old Trafford.
Armed with ambition and four new high-profile signings, Leeds feel ready to be genuine title challengers again.
Could this be their year again?
David Fusitu’a is a player to watch
After speaking to Leeds players at the club’s recent pre-season media day, it was hard not to feel enthused about the impact that the winger may make at Headingley.
“Big lad… gonna do some damage… will be great under the high ball.”
At 6ft 2in and over 16 stone, Fusitu'a is imposing.
The 27-year-old played 108 NRL games for the Warriors and has scored 61 tries during his time with the club.
A New Zealand international, Fusitu'a finished as the NRL's top try-scorer in 2018 with 23 tries.
If he can replicate that kind of form on the playing fields on northern England, then Leeds will have some player on their hands.
