Walker to weather the Storm
JACK WALKER’S debut campaign at Leeds was sweet beyond his wildest imaginings, but the highly-rated teenager faces his toughest challenge yet today against NRL champions Melbourne Storm.
Walker was 17 and a regular in the Rhinos academy side when he made his first-team bow last April in a Challenge Cup tie against Doncaster at Headingley.
A hat-trick of tries underlined his promise and he went on to oust Ashton Golding and establish himself as Leeds’ first-choice full-back, before starring in the Grand Final win over Castleford at Old Trafford.
For a player who grew up supporting his home-town club, the 18-year-old’s journey from boyhood fan to rising superstar feels like a dream. That Walker will face the legendary Billy Slater, universally regarded as the best full-back of the modern era, adds further intrigue to the World Club Challenge.
“Winning the Grand Final was one thing, but to now have the chance to be crowned as the best club side in the world is quite another,” he said.
“It’s hard to describe because it’s a dream come true and I’ve loved being in Melbourne this past week. I’ve burnt my head and my face in the sun, but it’s part of being abroad and I don’t want to go home.
“I’m looking forward to facing Billy Slater as he’s the best full-back in the world. I used to watch YouTube videos of him when I was younger, but he’s only human and I’ll play my game how I always do, to the best of my ability.”
Leeds have won a record eight Grand Finals since the formation of the Super League in 1996, but they are facing a mountainous task to topple the NRL champions in their own backyard.
Only one side have ever won on Australian soil in the World Club Challenge – the famous Wigan class of 1994, who beat Brisbane 20-14.
Leeds have also been angered by the announcement that today’s game will be officiated by two referees, yet Walker said: “Melbourne are not supernatural, they are human beings, and we can beat them. It takes that grit to do it tough at times in games, so we can’t leave anything out there.”
Nothing fazes Walker – which is just as well, because his rise has not been a bed of roses. Midway through last season he appeared set to leave Headingley after rejecting a new contract from Leeds on the basis that Golding was on a long-term deal and, at that point, first choice. But two weeks later, and after much agonising, he penned a three-year deal.
“I had offers from several clubs because of how I performed on my debut, but Leeds are my home-town club and are in my heart.
“In the end, I backed my ability to play ahead of Ashton, which I’m currently doing. But we are really good mates and help each other out.”
TEAMS
MELBOURNE STORM: Slater; Vunivalu, Chambers, Scott, Addo-Carr; Munster, Croft; J Bromwich, C Smith (capt), Glasby, Kaufusi, Hoffman, Finucane. Subs (from): B Smith, Asofa-Solomona, K Bromwich, Welch, Stimson, Tonumaipea, Kamikamica, Jacks. LEEDS RHINOS: Walker; Briscoe, Watkins (capt), Sutcliffe, Hall; Moon, Myler, Cuthbertson, Parcell, Singleton, Jones-Buchanan, Ablett, Ward. Subs: Dwyer, Delaney, Walters, Ormondroyd. Referees: G Sutton, B Cummins. Kick-off: 9am. TV: Sky Sports.