Drinkwater: We have to change our mindset

Leigh halfback Josh Drinkwater says the Centurions will need to alter their mindset next year if they are to challenge for a top spot in Super League.

Drinkwater joined Leigh in May from the Wests Tigers and helped the club achieve promotion.

The Centurions have recruited strongly for their return to Super League, snaring Glenn Stewart, Eloi Pelissier, Atoni Maria, Atelea Vea, James Green, Ryan Hampshire and Ben Crooks.

Drinkwater said pre-season training has started strongly and he believes Leigh can aim for a top four spot if they get into the right mindset.

“We’re training well and have come realy close as a team over the first couple of weeks,” he told Love Rugby League.

“All the new singings have fitted in well and added something to the group, which is good.

“There’s no doubt it’s going to be a big ask to get into that top four but from my point of view there won’t be a game we go into this year where I don’t think we the individuals to win.

“Our roster and depth is right up there, it’s just going to be about changing from a Championship mindset to a Super League grind mindset.”

One of the players who will help do that is veteran forward Stewart, who has arrived from Catalans.

Stewart has played for NSW and Australia, and won two NRL grand finals. Drinkwater trained with the back-rower when the pair were teammates at Manly.

The scrum-half believes Stewart will be a real asset for Leigh.

“I trained a few times doing opposed sessions against him [at Manly] and he’s probably he most skilfil forward in Super League,” Drinkwater said.

“So he’s going to be big for us. Also his leadership at training in our ball work drills, he’s been vocal and great so far.”