Leeds Rhinos rookie Max Simpson has been hailed as a “potential star of the future” by interim head coach Jamie Jones-Buchanan. The 17-year-old centre has yet to make his senior debut for his hometown club but is highly regarded at Headingley.
A product of the Kippax community club, he was drafted into Rhinos’ full-time group at the start of pre-season when Corey Hall’s move to Wakefield Trinity created a vacancy. Simpson was in the 21-man squad which lost to St Helens last week and Jones-Buchanan said: “I don't think he's a million miles off.
“He's unbelievable, we recognise him as a real potential star of the future," Jones-Buchanan said. “His strength really shines and also his decision making and his aptitude, when you put a young boy in it can take a bit of time, sometimes years to make consistently good decisions, especially on an edge.
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“But he seems to pick up and learn really quickly and excels quicker than most. That gives you confidence that as and when the need arises you can throw someone like him in with a great deal of trust and belief that he's going to do a job.”
With Leeds facing the grim prospect of a fight with relegation, Jones-Buchanan admits the club will have to tread carefully with their youngest talents.
He added: “I wish we were in a position where we could throw him in and that other 16 players could look after him. But with where we're at, at the minute, we've got to play it safe. He's one we'll look at in the not too distant future.”
