Harry Newman ‘disappointed’ and ‘frustrated’ as Leeds Rhinos boss provides latest on injured star

Leeds head coach Rohan Smith says Harry Newman was left disappointed and frustrated following his injury setback suffered last month against St Helens.

Only 23-years-old, Newman has already suffered multiple hamstring issues as well as a horrific double leg break in 2020 in his young career.

The talented centre was limited to just 12 appearances in 2020, as well as just 14 the following year, seven in 2022 and just 11 this season before the fresh blow.

Newman was forced from the field during the Round 13 clash with Saints at Headingley Stadium, with head coach Smith later confirming a 10-to-12 week injury.

The English centre missed last year’s Grand Final and a potential spot in Shaun Wane’s squad for the World Cup on home soil due to a series of hamstring issues, and was not rushed back into action in 2023.

He marked his return in Round Three against Wakefield, scoring in the 26-0 victory from the interchange bench.

Newman then featured for 40 minutes against Castleford the following week before being withdrawn at half-time in a pre-planned move by coach Smith.

His gradual return has since seen him make a further eight Super League appearances, including five tries, before the new hamstring injury struck earlier in May.

Smith has since provided an update on the injured rising star, insisting that it provides an opportunity for Newman to return stronger than ever, with 70 appearances and 25 tries to his name for Leeds since his debut in 2017.

Harry Newman to bounce back stronger, says Leeds boss

“He’s disappointed and frustrated, all of those things that you would be with having an injury. And obviously with Harry, he’s had a few of them now,” Smith told Love Rugby League.

“It’s an opportunity to try and build back better and resolve some things.

“He had a really serious leg break a few years ago, which was a complicated injury.

“A lot of the injuries that players sustain are, in a surgeon’s mind, reasonably straight forward and rehabbed quite smoothly and consistently.

“The leg break that Harry had from my understanding was complicated and not a sort of smooth recovery and that’s probably impacted on the rest of his lower limbs, which has added some pressure to the hamstrings seemingly.

“So we’re working on some things there to try and build him back better and resolve some issues.

“We feel like we have resolved some issues, but obviously there’s still some to go.”

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