Leeds Rhinos coach Brian McDermott believes promising youngster Liam Sutcliffe is destined for a career as a halfback, despite being physically more suitable for a role in the back row.
The 19-year-old, who is six feet tall and weighs just under 15 stone, made his Rhinos debut in 2013, scoring seven tries in 18 appearances.
“I think Sutty will have his career in the halves,” said the 43-year-old.
“I think he will be a stand-off, an old-style stand-off – he’ll attack the edges, he’s big, and he’s got the speed.
“There has been big running stand-offs that have attacked on the edges in recent years but they didn’t have the skill – the halfback skill and catch and pass – but Sutty has got all that.”
McDermott remains realistic, though.
“He’s got a few more miles on his clock yet to go,” he said.
“He’s got to get some games under his belt before we start talking about him in them circles but because he weighs 97kg you can put him in the back row as well as a loose forward and do some work there.”
