'He's a challenging coach': How Holbrook lured Leeming to NRL

Former Leeds captain Kruise Leeming has revealed that the opportunity to play under the coaching of Justin Holbrook convinced him to join the Titans.

Leeming is the latest English star to move to the NRL and he arrived at Robina on Tuesday after 176 Super League matches for Huddersfield and Leeds, including last year’s grand final, in which he captained the Rhinos.

The England international, who played in 2021 against France, was impressed by Holbrook during his three-year stint in charge of St Helens, which culminated in winning the 2019 Super League minor premiership and grand final double.

“Knowing Justin from Super League and what he did there with St Helens were a massive attraction for me," Leeming said.

"I’ve always wanted to challenge myself in the NRL and it seemed the right timing for me to come over here, with the connections that Justin has got within the Super League, the respect that he’s got and what he’s done with this club."

The 27-year-old Halifax junior is a playmaker style hooker, who has kicked match winning field goals in each of the past two season and started at halfback on three occasions in 2022.

Leeming believes he can further develop playing in the NRL under Holbrook.

“I know what he achieved in the English Super League, how highly he is regarded as a coach and how smart he is with his tactics, and the certain way he coaches," he told Titans.com.au.

“That’s something as a hooker, as well, that really appeals to me and I can’t wait to work with him.

“I’ve heard he’s a challenging coach and challenges you in the right ways, that makes you be a better player, and that’s exactly what I want.

“I’m in that stage in my career now where I want to keep improving, I want to keep learning and I’m really looking forward to the challenge, and I’m really looking forward to working with Justin.”

St Helens 13-12 defeat of Penrith in the World Club Challenge suggested that the top NRL and Super League teams are evenly matched but Leeming believes the intensity of the Telstra Premiership will benefit him as a player.

He becomes the 12th English international in the NRL, alongside John Bateman (Wests Tigers), Tom Burgess (Rabbitohs), Herbie Farnworth (Broncos), Oliver Gildart (Dolphins), Jackson Hastings (Knights), Josh Hodgson (Eels), Victor Radley (Roosters), Ryan Sutton, Luke Thompson (both Bulldogs), Elliott Whitehead (Raiders) and Dom Young (Knights).

Newcastle have also signed Kai Pearce-Paul and Will Pryce for 2024.

“I feel that Super League is a good competition but I feel that NRL is the strongest competition in the world," Leeming said.

"Saints bridged that gap a little bit but I think across the board, if you took any team out of the NRL, the athletes over here, the pace of the game, the magnitude of the media and stuff around the game is massive.

“It is the main sport and everyone is wanting to play. In England, there is football where people go and play, whereas for all the best athletes over here it’s rugby league.

"That’s why the pool to pick from is so much bigger and that raises the intensity of each game, and obviously makes the competition a better competition to play in."