Saluting Leeds Rhinos standout moments and performers from memorable and unique 2020 Super League campaign
After two seasons in the doldrums, Rhinos broke back into the big time, ending a five-year wait to regain the Coral Challenge Cup and featuring in the Betfred Super League play-offs for the first time since 2017.
Three players - Luke Gale, Harry Newman and Ash Handley - were named in the England performance squad, Handley and Konrad Hurrell both retained their place in the Super League Dream Team, Handley was the competition’s top metre maker and try-scorer and Newman was named young player of the year.
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Hide AdSo, like recent seasons, it has been tough to pick the outstanding performers and performances, but for the right reasons this year.
Player of the year – 3rd place: Matt Prior, the Australian prop/loose-forward, had a superb debut season for Rhinos and did exactly what was asked of him when he joined them from Cronulla Sharks on a two-year contract: a high work-rate, solid defence and the occasional eye-catching offload.
2nd: Ash Handley was Rhinos’ best player in 2019 and maintained his form this year. His stats were outstanding and he scored some crucial tries, not least his Wembley brace.
1st: Brad Dwyer was a substitute in half of his 18 appearances so might be a surprising choice, but his job off the bench was to make an impact and change games and he did that.
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Hide AdAs starting hooker he played a big role in Rhinos strong start to the campaign and then became a super-sub after the coronavirus shutdown, his pace out of dummy-half and eye for a gap getting Leeds on the front foot at times when they were struggling in games.
Clubman of the year: Rob Burrow’s day-to-day involvement with Rhinos was curtailed when he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) a year ago, but his plight served only to rally the entire club. Illness has clearly taken its toll on the former scrum-half and academy coach, but the twinkle in his eye remains and Burrow’s spirit in the face of appalling adversity is inspirational.
Special award: Kevin Sinfield played a big part in Rhinos’ revival as director of rugby, but he went on to become a national hero when he ran seven marathons in as many days earlier this month, raising more than £2.5m to support Burrow and the MND Association.
Best team performance: The 26-12 Challenge Cup semi-final win over Wigan Warriors on October 3. Against the eventual league leaders and Grand Final runners-up, Rhinos produced a wet weather masterclass. A near faultless first half opened a 20-0 interval lead and they were 26-0 ahead before Wigan scored a couple of late consolations.
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Hide AdBest moment (non-competitive): Burrow’s brief late cameo appearance against Bradford Bulls in his and Jamie Jones-Buchanan’s pre-season benefit match. Heartbreaking and uplifting in equal measure.
Best moment (competitive): Luke Gale’s golden point drop goal which secured a 27-26 win over Huddersfield Giants at Emerald Headingley in August. Riveting to see after Leeds trailed 26-6 with 12 minutes remaining.
Try of the year: Liam Sutcliffe, away to Wakefield Trinity on November 1. Handley snapped up a loose ball 10 metres from Leeds’ line, was dragged down by Ben Jones-Bishop inside Trinity’s 20, but managed to regain his feet, shrug off Innes Senior before off-loading to Sutcliffe who stepped inside to finish at the corner.
Most improved player: Richie Myler reinvented himself after making a surprise switch to full-back when Jack Walker was injured back in March. The 30-year-old is still learning the role, but produced a string of outstanding performances, culminating in a Lance Todd Trophy-winning display at Wembley.
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Hide AdRookie of the year (fewer than 15 first-team appearances): Alex Sutcliffe, a 21-year-old centre/second-row, has been held back by some bad luck with injuries. He was a surprise selection for the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley and never let the side down, particularly with his strong front-on defence. He looks to have a bright future.
Low points ...
Worst team performance: Refreshingly, there aren’t too many to choose from, but the 48-0 home loss to St Helens in August was particularly painful.
Biggest disappointment: Stevie Ward’s continuing injury problems which restricted the newly-appointed captain to just one appearance at the start of the season and effectively ended his Rhinos career.
Unluckiest player: Jack Walker was in good form before suffering a fractured foot in March. He also underwent shoulder surgery at the end of the season.
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