He's seen off ex-Man of Steel Zak Hardaker and rising star Jack Walker. But Richie Myler insists he still doesn’t see himself as Leeds Rhinos’ out-and-out number one.
There’s no doubting the ex-England scrum-half has made a brilliant transition to the full-back role over the last three seasons. Indeed, Rhinos boss Rohan Smith has felt confident enough in his quality to allow Hardaker’s departure to Leigh and Walker’s exit to Bradford.
It should be no surprise, then, that Myler’s been promoted to that jersey and will likely start there in the Betfred Super League opener at Warrington. But does it make the Lance Todd Trophy winner proud he’s been able to make such a switch so later in his career and hold off such impressive challengers?
Myler, 32, said: “I’ve not given it that much thought! Getting the one shirt just means you’ve had a decent year the year before and that’s your starting spot at the beginning of the season.
“But it doesn’t mean you’ll play there. I'm under no illusions that at some point this season I’ll play multiple other roles: full-back, half-back, off the bench… The philosophy that Rohan has come in with is that it takes a squad to do anything successful and it’s shown that last year. I think I played about ten games at half-back in 2022. It’s a nice accolade but we’ve got a lot of variations in the squad who could play there.”
One of those is Luke Hooley, the beaten Grand Finalists’ recruit from Championship outfit Batley Bulldogs. Myler, previously No16, said: “Luke’s come in. He’s injured at the moment but he’s off the bat.
“Ash (Handley) is playing well there as well and young Alfie Edgell is another young kid coming through who can play. I am proud I've got a starting shirt. As I've learned over my career, if you’re not adaptable, that’s when you can hit problems. It’s been a big achievement for me as from being on the verge of being moved on I've shown I can adapt and find a role the team needs me.”
After Australian Smith helped transform Leeds’ fortunes last term, taking them from relegation fodder to Old Trafford where only defending champions St Helens brought their thrilling surge to a halt, much is expected of Leeds in 2023. And Myler has not lost hope of finally getting himself a Grand Final winners’ ring after also losing with Warrington in 2012 and 2013.
“The Grand Final before this last one was nearly 10 years ago so that took a long time to come around,” he admitted. “I’m excited by the squad we’ve got, the team we’ve got and the club I'm at is ambitious. I have the opportunity to give myself another crack at getting there. Lots can happen. Last year we were 11th with 13 games to go. It was crazy. As a club we’re heading in the right direction and we need to just keep building on that.”
It was, of course, Warrington who ended up 11th last term after they failed to get out of their shambolic state. But Myler, who scored 81 tries in 144 games for the Wolves before moving to Catalans, expects them to respond positively in 2023. Myler said: “They’re a very ambitious club and have been for years.
“When I was there, they were very well backed and threw a lot of resources at it. They've gone out and strengthened areas they thought they were weaker in last year. I do think they’ll be a side to be reckoned with. It’s funny, we played them in the first game last year and I think my first game for Leeds was Warrington away. They always crop up.”
But Myler, who played in his first World Cup last season when representing Ireland, ended up getting injured in the first 15 minutes of that 2022 opener. He missed three months of action so will be looking for a smoother ride this time around.
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