Could Jake Connor give Leeds Rhinos and x-factor?

YEP rugby league writer Peter Smith reflects on Leeds Rhinos' signing of former England ace Jake Connor.

Transcript

00:00Well, it's been an interesting week for Leeds Rhinos and I suppose the biggest news has

00:07been the signing of former England international Jake Connor, who spent the last couple of

00:12seasons at Huddersfield Giants. He's been released from the final year of his contract

00:16there to join Leeds on a two-year deal. And it's one of those signings that's had a bit

00:21of a mixed reception, really. Jake Connor's had sort of a love-hate relationship with

00:27the Rhinos fans, although, to be honest, there's not been an awful lot of love in it

00:30over the past few seasons. They've enjoyed getting on his back when he's played for Huddersfield

00:35and Hull here at Headingley and he's given a little bit back. So, it'll be interesting

00:40to see how the fans take to him next year. Some fans are concerned, from what they've

00:45been saying to me, about his attitude, I think, and the way he approaches the game, but there's

00:52absolutely no doubt about the fact that he can play. Particularly when he was at Hull,

00:57he was one of the most creative players in the competition. He can carve out opportunities

01:03for his teammates and score tries himself. He's a good goal kicker. He's a talented player.

01:09I think this could be a really key signing for Leeds Rhinos. Obviously, we'll have to

01:13wait and see, but he's come in and he seems very keen. He's aware of the situation. He

01:20knows that this is his big chance now and there might not be too many more opportunities

01:24after this one. At 30, he's only going to get better at coming up to 30. He's somebody

01:31who can still have a really big influence in Super League and I think a big influence

01:34on the Leeds team that's developing next year. He'll be fun to watch, that's for sure. Things

01:39happen when Jake Connor is on the field and I think it could be one of those signings

01:44that really works out and people say, well, I'm not sure why they've done that. In a couple

01:49of years, they'll look back on it and say, well, that was a smart addition. Time will

01:54tell, but I think that Leeds are starting to put together quite an exciting squad for

01:59next year with the signings that have come in this year. One or two more in the pipeline.

02:05There could be good times ahead for Rhinos. We shall see.