A new signer Cooper Jenkins claims that compared to his time at NRL clubs, preseason training with the Leeds Rhinos is more difficult.
The front-rower signed a two-year contract with the Rhinos last month after playing for the Queensland Cup and NRL State winners, the Norths Devils.
Although he has not yet played in Australia’s top division, he trained with the NRL team Dolphins and progressed through the development system at his hometown club, Newcastle Knight
New signing Cooper Jenkins says pre-season training with Leeds Rhinos is tougher than he experienced at NRL clubs.
The front-rower joined Rhinos last month from Queensland Cup and NRL State champions Norths Devils on a two-year contract.
He is yet to play in Australia’s top-flight, but came through the development system at hometown club Newcastle Knights and has trained with NRL outfit Dolphins.
Rhinos boss Brad Arthur – the former Parramatta Eels coach – has put a big emphasis on fitness after Leeds’ second successive eighth-placed finish in 2024 and Cooper admitted Rhinos’ new-look squad are being made to dig deep with more than two months still to go until their season-opener against promoted Wakefield Trinity.
“Super League is definitely a step up [from Queensland Cup],” Jenkins stressed. “Pre-season has been tough, probably the toughest I’ve done. I have done a couple of NRL ones as well.
“The level of footy is way higher than Queensland Cup; it will be interesting to see how the game is, but it’ll definitely be a different game over here.
“I am keen to get a trial [game] and see how it goes.”
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