Ryan Brierley more than just a try scorer

Toronto Wolfpack half-back Ryan Brierley says he is maturing in to a half-back, rather than just a support player that scores lots of tries.

Brierley, 25, is in his first full season with the Canadian club having joined from Super League’s Huddersfield Giants midway through 2017.

It was at Leigh where he carved out a reputation as a prolific try scorer, scoring 133 tries in 125 appearances, including a mammoth 43 in 32 games back in 2014.

He carried that on initially at Huddersfield in the top flight, scoring 14 tries in 19 appearances when he stepped up in to Super League in 2016.

But after his time at the Giants ended abruptly, he dropped down two divisions, helping the Wolfpack win the League One title with 13 tries in 12 games last year.

This season he has taken on added responsibilities as a goal kicker, and put in a mature performance, kicking well with ball in hand, as the Wolfpack defeated Swinton 52-6 at the weekend.

Brierley said: “I think I play a little bit different now. I know the Ryan Brierley everyone thinks is going to score a load of tries, but I’m learning every week now and I’m probably learning a lot later than most half backs have.

“I didn’t get as much chance to run on Sunday as I probably would have liked, but it was more about game plan type stuff.

“I’m 26 next month, so learning the game has been at the forefront of my development for the last two years in League One and into the Championship.

“Now I feel a lot more comfortable as a half-back now rather than just a try scorer. It might not look pretty in the newspaper but I think my team value my contribution a lot more than they used to.”

Toronto remain favourites for the Championship title, despite losing to London Broncos in round four. They had previously been held to a draw by Barrow, but have beaten Leigh, Halifax and now Swinton in their first season in the second tier.