KALLUM Watkins hopes to take the extra step as Leeds look to defend their Super League crown.
For had he taken just one more stride, he may be entering this season a World Cup winner.
England fans in Brisbane rose when the centre broke the Australian line with the scores at 6-0.
However, he crashed to the ground with Elliott Whitehead screaming for a pass which would have led to a try, the scores probably being level and maybe an England win.
And Watkins need no reminding of just how close he came until being halted by Josh Dugan’s desperation.
“His fingertip brushed my heel but I thought I was clear,” he recalled.
“I never thought, ‘I’m going to fall over here.’ I just couldn’t get that step over and stumbled.
“I’ve noticed the impact of what we did and the future is bright as going through those experiences should make you want to be a better
player and competitor.”
After returning to England, Watkins was named Leeds captain this season.
The last Rhinos skipper from Lancashire, Kevin Sinfield, did not do badly and there was only one man the 26-year-old could speak to.
It is a remarkable turnaround from a player who has battled depression and 2016, when Leeds went from treble winners to fighting relegation after the retirement of Sinfield, Jamie Peacock and Kylie Leuluai, played a big part in his appointment.
Watkins added: “I feel like I’ve got here by being myself, growing as a player and as a man.
“2016 was a learning process, getting people to step up into that leadership role. We’ve built that over the last couple of years and it helped us last season, which continued to help develop me even more.
“I’ve asked Kevin for advice and he only wants me to be myself.”
Leave a comment