Leeds Rhinos’ bad boy James Bentley reckons he’s finally curbed his temper.
The abrasive Ireland second-row endured a nightmare start after moving to his hometown club from St Helens last term. He was sent-off on debut and before June had been hammered with three different bans totalling nine games. But Bentley sorted out his discipline issues and helped resurgent Leeds reach Old Trafford where they lost out to Saints.
He represented Ireland at the World Cup but was in the headlines again off the pitch for an alleged bust-up with England’s Victor Radley at England’s team hotel. Although not naming Bentley in their statement, the RFL deemed he had used “inappropriate” behaviour and exonerated Radley of any blame. When asked if he’d grown on the field last season, Bentley said: “I’ve definitely matured.
“The game changed a bit towards the back end compared to how it was at the start. But I've got to put that behind me. It’s a new year and I’m just looking forward to getting out there, playing rugby and enjoying it. I think I’ve proven I’ve learned how to control it (aggression). At the back end of the year I didn’t have any (bans) so I’ve shown I can control that aggression when I’m playing.”
Bentley refused to discuss the alleged Radley incident when asked by The Mirror but he insisted he’d enjoyed the World Cup experience. He played in all three games, scoring in the 48-2 win against Jamaica but proving powerless to prevent their exit after losses against Lebanon and New Zealand. Bentley, 26, recalled: “It was great. I had a good time with all the lads there.
“We made some real memories and are good mates now. We’re a bit disappointed with how it ended. We didn’t push on in the competition but we’ll learn from that and look forward to that again.”
Leeds start their Super League campaign at Warrington on February 16. They transformed from relegation contenders to Grand Finalists last term under Rohan Smith and Bentley - a 2020 Grand Final winner with Saints - feels they can build further. He said: "We learned a lot at the back end of that year how to win games where we probably wouldn't have won them at the start of the year.
“It’s about building on what we got last year and hopefully getting better and going one further this year. That will be the goal. I definitely think we’ll be stronger with our signings. We’ve brought a lot of young lads up to the squad as well and everyone’s trained hard. It’s looking good. Everyone’s pushing each other and making everyone play better.”
