Leeds Rhinos: Blake Austin can’t wait for Super League season to start

Leeds’ new signing Blake Austin is looking forward to getting stuck into the new Super League season with his new club.

The 30-year-old joined the Rhinos on a one-year contract from the Wolves in the off-season.

Austin helped Leeds thrash Hull 38-6 in a pre-season friendly on Sunday; and he can’t wait for the season to start in two weeks.

He told the club’s YouTube channel: “It was a solid hit out and it’s not a bad way to end pre-season. Bring on the season, it is a long and hard one so I can’t wait to get going.

“I thought we put them to the sword at the back end of the match with a big 20-minute period after half-time so it was pleasing.

“We’ve got 10 days to get a little bit more work into us to make sure that we are prepared for the season. Rich Hunwicks (performance director) has done a great job throughout the pre-season. We are all raring to go. We are just in that awkward stage where we just want to get started.”

Blake Austin excited to get going

Austin will come up against his former club Warrington in their opening game of the season; and is hoping that the Channel 4 live game will help attract more fans to the sport.

“If I had a choice it probably wouldn’t be the team I’d want to face in Round 1!” he added. “But what a spectacle it is going to be here at Headingley on Channel 4.

“Hopefully there’ll be a few new viewers to the sport and Saturday afternoon as well, what a time slot, so I can’t wait.”

Meanwhile, Tonga winger David Fusitu’a made his first appearance for Leeds on Sunday in Tom Briscoe’s testimonial.

He also told the club’s YouTube channel: “It was awesome. It was good to get a little blowout under my belt before the season starts.

“It has been awesome training with the boys but it was even better to run out with them and pull on this proud jersey.

“I’m not really used to the drumming and the singing so it was a pretty cool experience.”

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