Zak Hardaker is open-minded about the prospect of staying at Leeds Rhinos beyond this season – but would need reassurances about his role within the team. The England international made an abrupt departure from Wigan Warriors last month and rejoined Leeds on a short-term deal until the end of the season.
He is set to make his second debut for the club in Sunday’s trip to Salford Red Devils as new head coach Rohan Smith takes charge of his first game. Now Hardaker is back at Headingley, where he won three Super League titles and the coveted Steve Prescott Man of Steel award in 2015, he is keen to re-establish himself at Leeds.
Asked about his plans for next year, the 30-year-old said: “I've not really thought that much into it.
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“I'm 31 in October but still feel about 25 and my body is great. Age is just a number isn't it? “Nothing is guaranteed in rugby league and there are young lads coming up through the ranks right, left and centre – there is some fantastic talent coming through.
“But I'd probably like a bit of re-assurance about where I am and what kind of role I have in the team.”
Hardaker’s preferred positions are full-back and centre but he can also play on the wing
“You don't want to be in your 30s bouncing between four different positions,” he added. "I’ve done that for the last year and a half and I didn’t' particularly like it. I was quite strong in my ideas of what I wanted to be. I was trying to my best for the team and I thought I did that.
“Going forward, being able to sign a new contract for the next couple of years, with whatever club, you can express yourself a little more, especially having played the game for a number of years now. So that will be the thought process.”
Hardaker spoke to Smith before sealing his return to Leeds and told him where he would like to play. The former Castleford Tigers star added: “Rohan knows the positions I can play and we have had conversations. I am happy to play anywhere at this moment in time to get up and running.
“I’ve told him the two positions I’d rather play, centre and full back. He knows that but the squad is looking really good for the next month or two. It’s about me playing as best I can in whatever position I am put in. put my best foot forward and have those conversations with Rohan when I need them.
“I want to play as well as I can, get the two points and try and climb up that ladder.”
Hardaker is adamant the play-offs are not beyond the Rhinos, despite their disastrous to the campaign which prompted Richard Agar to quit.
“I really believe it’s possible,” he said. "You could be maybe four or five wins off, need a few clubs at the top to lose a couple of games and you could be sixth and go from there. I had a little look at where we could finish and there's no reason why we can't come top six. I've won it from fifth so the experience is there.”
