Former Siddal junior Holroyd banking on breakthrough with the Rhinos
PROPS MAY often play their best rugby in their 30s, but Leeds Rhinos’ former Siddal junior Tom Holroyd has pledged to make an impact somewhat sooner.
Now 18, Holroyd made his Super League debut for Leeds Rhinos in 2018, his first year in the academy, when he had a runout as a substitute in a home defeat by Catalans Dragons.
He added three more substitute appearances to that in the early stages of last season, but then a series of unconnected injuries wrecked his year.
The Halifax-born
powerhouse had by that stage already been earmarked as a potential first team star by Richard Agar, who took over as coach in May and quickly pin-pointed Holroyd as someone who could break through in 2020.
With Brad Singleton having joined Toronto Wolfpack and Trent Merrin returned home - plus the retirement on Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Carl Ablett - there is an opportunity for Leeds’ next generation to show what they can do.
“I am hoping to get quite a bit more game time this year,” Holroyd confirmed.
“I want to get that under my belt, being a young lad.”
For Holroyd, a product of the famous Chevinedge community club, just getting back on the field was a significant step forward.
Of last year, he recalled: “I had a syndesmosis [ankle ligament injury] against Castleford.
“I came back, just got back fit and then three games later I broke my foot.
“And at the end of the year I found out I had broken my wrist as well.
“I had a shocking year, really. I am glad to be out of it.”
Holroyd did manage to get in some games for Rhinos under19s before the wrist damage was diagnosed.
“I only found out in late September it was broken - and I broke it in December,” he revealed.
“I am fully fit now and raring to go.”
Holroyd has all the physical credentials to make it to the top and Agar described him as “a real bright spot” in the win at Wigan and noted: “It was a terrific opportunity to have a look at him.”