LIAM Hood insists he has no grudge against Leeds – but the time is right for a Leigh-thal blow to their Challenge Cup hopes.
The Rhinos are wobbling as they defend their Super League crown, lying sixth in Super League. Now hooker Hood, who came through at Headingley, hopes to stun Brian McDermott’s men in tonight’s quarter-final.
Until last week, Kieron Purtill’s men had won 11 straight games and the match is on the familiar turf of Championship side Featherstone because of England’s cricket Test and development work.
It all points to the possibility of a place in the last four for Leigh, with Hood admitting: “We feel now is our time where we can really give this a good go.
“Now’s the best chance to beat them. They’ve got some big players like Kallum Watkins missing through injury and they’ve not been in great form in Super League.”
Hood was at Leeds from 2009-2016 but there was no hard feelings over his departure. In fact, it was his decision.
The Scotland ace added: “Leeds were a massive part of my development and they were a great club to be at – they’ve proved it with the players they’ve brought through with the latest being Jack Walker and Cameron Smith.
“They were always honest with me but after having had a taste of first team rugby, I wanted more and more and there were some great players in front of me. The likes of Danny Buderus, Paul McShane and Rob Burrow, who would probably still do a job now if he was called upon!
“So I asked if I could play elsewhere as Leeds was a tough place to be if you were a young kid at that time.
“I had to think, ‘Realistically, am I going to break though?’ At that time, for my career and my family, I had to go elsewhere.”
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