Harry Newman eager to put 2022 heartache behind him – for Leeds and England
HARRY Newman is ready to ease his Grand Final and World Cup heartache by showing he is back to his best, for club and country.
The Leeds centre was reduced to a spectator as Leeds made it to Old Trafford last year because of hamstring problems.
He did not even hang around as England went through semi-final heartache in the home tournament – he went on holiday.
Now as he nears full fitness, he is ready to roar back on to the scene and there will be no holding back.
Sitting out April’s Test with France, which may still have Shaun Wane in charge, is also not an option.
Newman, 22, said: “Playing in the big games is what any player wants to do. Missing that home World Cup, when it was looking likely I’d have been involved, was gutting.
“I had a few good chats with Waney and he liked what I did – but when I’m back out there, I know the potential I’ve got. Playing well isn’t something I worry about.
“And the France game won’t be too soon. Once I’m back, I’m back. I’ll put my hand up for an England shirt.
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“There’s no better feeling than running out on a game day. It’s something I’ve missed and sometimes it gets you quite down.
“It’s been a tough couple of years – a leg break followed by a couple of hamstring operations – but it’s feeling really good now.
“I’ve probably been guilty of rushing a couple of things in the past but the main thing now is once I get back out there, I stay out there.
“Last year, I wanted to be back for the Super League quarter final at Catalans – if I’d have waited a couple of weeks, I’d have probably played in a Grand Final.
“It’s hard, especially at 22-years-old, to hold yourself back. I didn’t and missed playing in a Grand Final and potentially a World Cup.
“For me that was gutting as I knew I would’ve brought a lot to both events.”
Newman’s road back to fitness has also seen him adapt the way he prepares his body for action – and the results should be seen over the coming season.
He added: “Now we’ve got Dave O’Sullivan, who’s worked with England RU and Leicester Tigers. He’s been great with me and a few others.
“He’s really big on things like preparing to run, not just doing the team warm up. It involves exercises which to a normal person wouldn’t make sense. They’d probably think, ‘What are you doing?’
“But they seem to be working at the minute and the body feels good.
“Since 2020, it’s not been plain sailing but you’d be lucky to go through in a sport like this without having a time where it’s tough.”