Trent Merrin: I’m going nowhere

Leeds’ marquee signing Trent Merrin insists he is not turning his back on the Rhinos and returning to the NRL.

The 29-year-old only signed a four-year contract with the Rhinos in the off-season, but reports Down Under linked him with a move to St George Illawarra Dragons.

His former Penrith Panthers team-mate, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, recently claimed Merrin was feeling ‘homesick’ after enduring a poor start to the season with Leeds, winning just one of their first eight matches.

“It was always going to be a challenge to come to a different country and get used to new things,” Merrin said.

“But that’s what I came here for, to set out of my comfort zone, to try something new and come into a new group.

“There’s a lot of outside noise at the moment and it’s hard to push that away when it’s in your face all the time with special media, but I’ll focus on what I can control and my part in turning things around.

“It’s a tough time and that’s what rugby league is. You wouldn’t do it if you weren’t made for it.

“Obviously the season hasn’t worked in our favor and at times it does get hard, but you’ve got to go through tough times to realize what sort of a person you are and I’m not turning my back on this team.”