KRUISE CONTROL
Woolford: His new-found discipline has made Leeming one of best in the game
London Broncos v Huddersfield Tomorrow, kick-off 3pm
SIMON WOOLFORD has revealed how some home truths have helped Kruise Leeming become one of Super League’s top hookers.
Fellow former No.9 Woolford arrived at the Giants midway through last season with Leeming showing flashes of his undoubted potential but lacking discipline.
The Huddersfield coach admits the pair “butted heads” in his first few weeks in charge, before Leeming took his observations on board.
Now the 23-year-old is a key man for the Giants as they look to build on last week’s win over Hull KR in London tomorrow.
Woolford said: “Kruise has been fantastic.
“When I first got here I knew he was a player with immense talent, he just had some areas of his game he needed to improve on.
“We butted heads early, Kruise and I, but I think he looks back now and realises the great improvements he’s made in his game with his discipline.
“Kruise had a decision to make. He was one player I knew a little bit about as a No.9 with plenty of ability but who hadn’t quite reached that potential yet.
“There was a game there against Hull KR last year when we dropped him to the bench the week after, and I’m sure Kruise thought we were picking on him.
“He gave away three or four penalties and he was one of the most penalised players in Super League – I think he was number two. There were some things we had to make Kruise aware of so that he could realise the potential everyone saw he had in him.
“It was important that we told Kruise what he needed to hear rather than what he wanted to hear.
“It was hard early for him but now he’s one of those players that’s always looking for feedback – and it’s a credit to him that he’s been able to turn that around.
“He’s created plenty of opportunities for us out of dummy half, and his defence has been a really, really high standard. He’s doing a lot of things right for us at the moment.”
Now Woolford (right) and Leeming are focusing on what could be a crunch battle at the bottom in the capital.
The Broncos have accounted for Wakefield and Wigan at home and Woolford is keen not to be ambushed by the promoted side.
The Giants boss added: “We’re expecting a tough game, we know they’re a team that won’t go away.
“There’s been a couple of teams guilty of taking them lightly – but we certainly can’t afford to take anybody lightly.
“We need to make sure we’ve got our own backyard in order.”