Richie Myler says he goes into Ireland’s World Cup campaign buoyed by his fine form for Leeds Rhinos this year – and with a desire to see out his career at Headingley.
The former Salford, Warrington and Catalans playmaker proved an outstanding presence for Rohan Smith’s side as they became a side transformed in the second half of the season.
Smith arrived in May to inherit a team languishing in 11th in Super League and took them to the Grand Final, where they lost to all-conquering St Helens three weeks ago.
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Myler emerged as a central figure in the Rhinos’ resurgence and is aiming to take that form into the World Cup where Ireland face Jamaica at Headingley on Sunday before Group C clashes with Lebanon and New Zealand.
“I think I’d like to see out my career at Leeds,” the 32-year-old told Leeds Live. “I’ve found a home here, I love it here, and the club has been amazing to me. I came here at the start of 2018 and have two more years left on my contract, so this will be the longest I’ve been at a club.
“I was at Warrington for six years but it will be seven years at Leeds when my contract expires. If I can go round again after that then great because my body is feeling good and I’m playing some of the best rugby I’ve played in a long time.
“I do love it at Leeds because it’s such a great club and one I’m proud to play for. Hopefully I can maintain that form for Ireland going into the World Cup.”
Myler helped Leeds to win the Challenge Cup when they beat Salford behind closed doors at Wembley in 2020. Reaching the Grand Final this season has encouraged hopes that the eight-time Super League champions can go one better next year.
“A club like Leeds Rhinos should be competing in those big games,” insisted Myler. “Where we were at the beginning of this season wasn’t really a true reflection of the club.
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“Even when we were second bottom, we still had belief in what we had inside the changing room. But it also showed that if you aren’t on it and don’t get your processes right then you can end up in a bit of a dogfight.
“We worked hard to build that back up and ultimately made a season that we were proud of. We came up a bit short in the end, but St Helens were the form team all year. Hopefully we can build on the progress we made and, with a full pre-season under Rohan, I’m sure we can kick on from there.”
Myler was brought to Leeds by Brian McDermott and also played under David Furner and Richard Agar before Smith arrived earlier this year.
“I’ve got a huge respect for Rohan and what he brought into our environment is what I think we needed,” added Myler. “The timing was perfect and we needed somebody of his ilk – the way he sees rugby and how he deals with the playing group – because his calmness is infectious.
“That definitely rubbed off on the team and, as a club, that’s what everyone has fed off. I’ve been fortunate to work with some outstanding coaches throughout my career.
“I had Tony Smith for six years at Warrington and he pretty much built me the foundations of who I was as a rugby player. Things like turning up to training, where my boots were, all those little fundamentals – he was really big on that and I see similar traits in Rohan as I did with Tony, his uncle.
“The way Rohan treats younger players is brilliant and obviously I worked with the likes of Steve McNamara and Laurent Frayssinous in France. Every coach I’ve played under has had some great attributes and I loved working with Brian Mac here at Leeds.
“Brian was a tough coach and maintained high standards, but I loved that because I knew exactly where I stood with him. He gave me the chance to come here and I’ll always be grateful for that.”
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