Derrell Olpherts has vowed to deliver career best form at Leeds Rhinos as it’s the perfect place for him to flourish.
After a close season switch from derby rivals Castleford, the exciting winger debuts in the Boxing Day friendly against Wakefield. He turns 31 in a fortnight but after a career that’s taken in part-timers Dewsbury, Hemel Stags and Newcastle Thunder before hitting the big time, he promises there’s still more to come. Olpherts will have to raise his game at Headingley where last season’s beaten Super League Grand Finalists have Tonga star David Fusitu’a and prolific Ash Handley out wide.
He could yet feature at centre but insisted: “There's always more in me. I don't think I've yet played my best rugby. I played wing when I eventually came into Super League with Salford but I was more of an attacking centre or full-back when playing Championship and League 1.
“That's the kind of rugby I want to get back to. Leeds will try their best to get that out of me and I know they will. I’m looking forward to showcasing it and can’t wait to come out at Headingley on Boxing Day in front of that big Leeds support.”
Olpherts scored 18 tries in 26 games for Castleford last term when he proved one of Super League’s top players. No one made more than his 131 tackle busts, only Handley bettered his 435 carries while just Handley and Wigan’s Jai Field beat his 3,201m. It was a surprise that Castleford didn’t sort a new deal but Olpherts has now ended up at one of the sport’s biggest clubs.
He recalled: “When people asked where I was going I could only control my performances on the field. Anything after that is dealt with by my agent. That's how I see it. Luckily enough I got an opportunity to come to Leeds and I’m grateful and happy for that.
“In my first six weeks here it’s been some of the best rugby so far in terms of training, facilities and how they go about things. It’s second to none and something I’ve never experienced before so I’m just eating it all up. I’m trying to learn and dissect information as they give it to me and learn as much as I can for the next couple of years.”
He knows how important it is to make a positive initial impression on boss Rohan Smith on Boxing Day. Olpherts said: “Every time I'm on that field I have to be at my best and perform at 100 percent as the strength in depth in the backs here is unbelievably. But I can’t wait to get started especially against my hometown club Wakefield.”
