Leeds Rhinos star Harry Newman tipped for big future - by Hull KR rival

Newman scored a spectacular solo try in Rhinos’ 48-18 hammering of Hull KR in a Coral Challenge Cup quarter-final last Friday.

The 20-year-old went head to head with Rovers’ Australian-born Scotland international Kane Linnett, who played for North Queensland Cowboys in their 2015 NRL Grand Final triumph and when they beat Rhinos at Headingley in the following year’s World Club Challenge.

“He has got a big future,” Linnett said of Newman.

“He’s only 20 years old, is very fast, has good feet and is quite strong.

“I think his main thing is to keep working hard, stay grounded and there’s no doubt he’ll have a good career.”

Linnett could come up against Newman again in two days’ time when Leeds and Hull KR square off in Betfred Super League at Warrington’s HJ Stadium.

It will be the side’s third meeting this season and Leeds have won the opening two, by an aggregate score of 100-28.

“There’ll be a few new boys in the team and fresh bodies,” Linnett said of Rovers’ approach this week.

“We don’t want to end up on the bottom of the ladder.

“Even though there’s no relegation, no one wants that. We want to do the club proud and we know we let ourselves down last week.

“It was very disappointing, I don’t think any of us saw that happening, but it sometimes happens in football.”

Rhinos led 30-0 at half-time four days ago and Linnett reflected: “We talked about needing to start well and we didn’t do that.

“We have showed over the last month what we can do when we get our game right, but I am sure the boys will bounce back this week.”

Meanwhile coach Tony Smith played down speculation Rovers are set to sign Leeds forward Muizz Mustapha on loan for 2021. Asked if a deal was expected, Smith said: “Not at this stage.”

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Laura Collins