Leeds Rhinos went back to their recent past with the signing of Ryan Hall in the off-season, but have been given a glimpse of the future as well with the emergence of Riley Lumb.
The 20-year-old winger made it four tries in six appearances with a double in Saturday’s 32-6 win away to Salford Red Devils, earning the player of the match accolade in the process.
Lumb’s showing came on the same day that fellow wide player Hall extended his Super League record to 255 tries with his first back in Leeds colours, and the youngster is determined to keep making the most of this opportunity.
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“It’s a good opportunity for me to get some games under my belt,” Lumb told Sky Sports.
“I’m just doing my best, sticking to a system and it seems to be working.
“Hopefully a few more games and we’ll see how it goes.
“It was a good performance and hopefully we can kick on against [Castleford Tigers] next week.”
Lumb’s chance on the wing for the Rhinos this season came after high-profile new signing Maika Sivo suffered a season-ending injury.
Skipper Cameron Smith being forced off at half time and Brodie Croft leaving the field on a stretcher due to suffering a head injury after the break in the win over Salford added to Leeds head coach Brad Arthur’s fitness concerns.
Arthur was optimistic Croft would only miss the Round 3 match at home to Castleford Tigers next Sunday and hailed off-season signing Jake Connor for how he stepped up in the former Man of Steel’s absence.
“He’s not the finished product for me, there is still plenty I need from him,” Arthur told Sky Sports.
“But today is another good step in the right direction for him.”
