Leeds Rhinos boss Rohan Smith sees new recruit Luke Hooley as a supporting cast member initially at Headingley but with the potential to eventually take centre stage. The full-back, who has worked with Smith in the past during their time together at Bradford Bulls, has been a revelation for Batley Bulldogs in the Championship.
He scored 30 tries in 55 appearances and played a pivotal role in helping the club to reach the 2022 Million Pound Game. Hooley has joined Leeds on a two-year deal and head coach Smith told Leeds Live: “I see Luke as a talented player who has taken a different pathway to get this Super League opportunity.
“He’s been at a Super League club previously (Wakefield Trinity) but he went to Batley and has done a great job. Craig Lingard, the head coach there, has done fantastically well with the way he has brought Luke’s game on. I saw Luke as a very young player in 2016 and the maturity and development within his game is evident. He’s certainly grown a lot as a player.”
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Although Zak Hardaker and Jack Walker have moved on from Headingley since the end of last season, Richie Myler remains and is widely regarded as the Rhinos’ first-choice full-back. Smith added: “I see Luke as a supporting cast member initially and then the challenge and opportunity is to see if he can become that every week Super League player.
”There is no stress on him to do that because we’re very well equipped there at full-back with Richie Myler. I think Richie had one of the best seasons of his career in 2022, so Luke can support him and maybe challenge him at the right time.”
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