LEEDER LEGEND DIRECTOR
New Rhinos boss Sinfield: I’m putting my head on the chopping board
KEVIN SINFIELD admits his reputation is on the line after the Leeds legend returned to Headingley as director of rugby.
The champions have slipped out of Super League’s top eight after seven straight defeats, and face fighting for their top-flight lives in the Qualifiers if they finish in the bottom four.
That led to the dismissal of the club’s most successful coach Brian McDermott on Monday – and yesterday their greatestever captain returned, charged with arresting that slide.
The Rhinos also appointed James Lowes (right) as first-team coach, but Sinfield will have overall accountability for first-team affairs, including picking the side for tomorrow’s trip to Castleford.
“I’m responsible for all first -team performances and results,” he said. “That’s my head on the chopping board and I’m comfortable with that.
“Jimmy will be our first-team head coach, but I’ll spend all of my time at first out on the field ensuring that we play how I want us to play.
“Jimmy and the other coaches will have a big say in that as well. First and foremost, it’s about Castleford and making sure the team is as well prepared as it can be.
“I’m really looking forward to Sunday’s game – it’s right in at the deep end.
“I know exactly what the people who pay their hard- earned money expect. I hope they can get behind us because I’ve got every confidence in that dressing room – if I didn’t have I wouldn’t be here today.” Sinfield, whose role at the Rugby Football League will reduce to one day a week until his contract ends later this year, also paid tribute to the out-going McDermott (below, right). He added: “It’s been a sad time but I’m sure that, moving forward, this club and that dressing room will always have a piece of Brian in it, and rightly so. “But with any disappointment like that, an opportunity presents itself. “To find myself here now is great – I believe in the club, and the support I had in my time here was incredible. “I hope we can generate that again – we need it at this moment.”