A Leeds Rhinos rookie has put his hand up to step into the breach when England star Harry Newman heads to the NRL.
Newman has signed a two-year contract with new club Perth Bears, which will begin in 2027. That is set to leave a vacancy at centre in Rhinos’ squad and Max Simpson is keen to fill it.
Simpson, 21, broke into Rhinos’ first team in 2022, playing four times before an ankle injury brought his season to an early end that July.
An anterior cruciate ligament rupture the following pre-season, followed by a series of setbacks, meant he didn’t play again for three years, but he was recalled to the Betfred Super League side last summer after just two halves of reserve team rugby and made three appearances towards the end of the campaign.
He has been handed the number 18 jersey for next season and started at centre in Rhinos’ Boxing Day win against Wakefield Trinity.
“Harry was ever-present last year and he has got that off the back of how he was playing, so all credit to him,” Simpson – who recently penned a new deal until the end of 2029 – said. “But obviously I have signed a contract and I want to be a starting centre for Leeds.
“I will take what I can get, but I don’t think I’ll be happy with playing a couple of games next season; I want to get a decent run of games if that opens up and try and fight my way into the team and be very close if not. I want to get as much game time in Super League as possible.”
Simpson wore the 26 shirt last term, but insisted he isn’t reading anything into his new squad number – which teammate Jake Connor occupied when he was named Man of Steel in 2025.
“I think Danny [Levi, Leeds Rhinos’ off-season signing] likes LeBron James, so he wanted 23 and I just got shuffled around a bit,” Simpson said.
“It is pleasing, but Brad [Arthur, Rhinos’ coach] is going to pick the best team each week and I don’t think he’s going to care what squad number you’ve got on.”
Simpson had one season left on his previous deal, which he signed in 2023, during his long layoff.
Of his new long-term arrangement, he added: “I don’t think it makes too much difference to how you play or train, but it is pleasing and confidence-inspiring to get an extended deal after what had happened. I feel like I am in a good place to kick on and try and make a bit more of a mark this year.”
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