Newman looks to reach debut Grand Final after career threatening injury

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12 months ago, Leeds Rhinos centre Harry Newman’s career looked like it could have been over before it had even started, but now the 21-year-old is just 80 minutes away from a Super League Grand Final.

Newman has been through tough times in the last year. He broke his leg this time last season which lead to a long spell on the sidelines and missing out on an appearance at Wembley as the Rhinos lifted the Challenge Cup. Working his way back to full fitness has been a tough ask for the England Knights international, but he believes that having a major injury setback has made him physically and mentally stronger and that putting in consistent performances will be the key to his own personal success moving forward.

“It was 12 months ago when it happened. I didn’t know how long it would take for me to get playing again and at a standard I wanted to play at,” Newman told Prost International. “I feel like I’m really getting there and performing consistently. “I think I have had games where I feel better physically then I was before. I’ve worked hard on my strength throughout my time off. I still have a lot to show in the game.”

The 21-year-old played in his first play-off game last week as the Rhinos came away 8-0 victors in a gritty win over the Wigan Warriors. Richard Agar’s side face eight-time Super League Champions, St Helens for a place in the Grand Final next weekend and it is a challenge that Newman knows himself and his teammates are looking forward to.

“We’ve had a great week’s worth of prep, a big win last week at Wigan, and we’ve had two big training days. The group is feeling good it’s a really tight group,” Newman said. “It’s the biggest game of my career and I’m up for the challenge and so is the team. “Since I started at Leeds it’s [The Grand Final] something that you aspire to be apart of. I missed out on the Challenge Cup last year which the team won, and to be playing under the lights at Old Trafford on a Saturday night, that is the best game you can be involved in. “We can’t look too ahead as we have a massive test this week against the champions.”

Leeds finished the regular season in fifth place and have reached the Grand Final from this position before, meanwhile St Helens head into the fixture having finished second in the Super League table behind Catalans Dragons who face surprise package Hull KR on Thursday. Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt