Jamie Peacock gives brutal assessment on Leeds star Harry Newman
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.
Jamie Peacock has hailed Leeds centre Harry Newman, but believes the young star has to improve to become a leader within the team.
Peacock, a nine-time Super League winner, believes the 23-year-old has a ‘petulant’ side to his performances.
BBC punditry trio Peacock, Jon Wilkin and Martin Offiah dissected the England Knights representative ahead of Leeds’ Challenge Cup tie with Wigan at Headingley Stadium.
Rohan Smith’s Rhinos fell to 18-14 defeat, with Matt Peet’s Warriors fighting from 14-0 behind to claim their spot in the quarter-finals.
Newman, who scored his side’s second in the tie, could have produced the match-winning pass in the latter stages against the Warriors, only to elect not to pass to the supporting Richie Myler after a break.
In Super League, Newman has scored five tries in nine appearances, giving away three penalties in the process.
He scored twice during the side’s Super League comeback at the DW Stadium in Round 12, helping his side from 14-0 behind to claim a 40-18 victory.
Harry Newman assessed by trio
“I think he comes up with big plays all of the time,” ex-St Helens back-rower Wilkin said.
“He’s only 23 years-old, but this guy is a star. He can come up with big plays.
“There’s two sides to Harry Newman, one is how good is with the ball but this is the question mark [disciplinary].”
Peacock, who won 21 caps for England and 26 for Great Britain, continued: “I think he is a game-breaker.
“Get the ball in his hands and something will happen through his athletic ability, strength and side step.
“But he’s got a petulant side to him and I think it hampers the team and I think at times he has a selfish streak in him which doesn’t inspire his team as much as he should do.
“He comes up with inspirational plays, but that selfish side of him means his team doesn’t follow him and he needs to develop that and become more of a team player.”
Offiah, who won four Challenge Cups with Wigan, concluded: “You’d hope he’d mature.
“He came up with two interceptions [against Wigan last week], read the plays and he’s a talent.”
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