Harry Newman insists he has plenty of time to fulfil his England World Cup dream - and firing up Leeds will help achieve it.
The gifted young centre continues his comeback from another injury tonight when they head to champions St Helens. Newman, 22, was sidelined for much of last season following a horrific double leg fracture suffered in 2020. And then he was crocked for months after suffering a lengthy hamstring issue on his first appearance this term.
Newman returned in Leeds’ last game, a 30-16 loss at Huddersfield, but then had to sit twiddling his thumbs due to the international break. It was too soon into his comeback to be considered by England boss Shaun Wane for last Saturday’s win over the Combined Nations All Stars. There's only four months before the home World Cup kicks-off.
But uncapped Newman - who's been involved in Wane's squads - intends on making the most of that. He insisted: "There’s not too much time but I’ve every confidence in myself as a player. I know when I’m at the top of my game I’ll be there or thereabouts. I genuinely believe that.
“There’s 12 games but that’s plenty of time and I’ve worked hard in my rehab so I feel I can hit the ground running. I don’t feel behind on anything. I was out for a while, got half an hour under my belt against Huddersfield and it felt good to be back. I felt sharp. I’m looking forward to more minutes and kicking on again.
“I’m only young and everyone wants to play for their country in such a big tournament in this country. But, firstly, I’ve to get back playing consistently and well for Leeds and I do think the rest will take care of itself.”
Struggling Rhinos had shown progress, winning two of their opening three games under new coach Rohan Smith. But they were handed a lesson by Challenge Cup finalists Huddersfield, a reminder of just how much work is still left to do. Visiting leaders Saints, who have beaten them in their last ten meetings, will be another step up.
But Leeds welcome back Australian scrum-half Aidan Sezer (groin) after nearly three months out and ex-Saints second-row James Bentley from a ban. Captain Kruise Leeming also features having missed that Giants loss due to illness. Newman said: “Rohan has come in and done a great job.
“We’ve had a tough season with injuries again but we’ve pretty much got our first choice side back now. We’ve a tough game at Saints who have obviously proven it for a while now. They are a very, very good team. We’ll have to be at our best to beat them but we’re more than capable of that. We know there's no overnight fix here. But there’s no excuse. And we will improve.”
