LEEDS RHINOS sporting director Ian Blease will get the chance to remind himself what AMT Headingley looks like on Boxing Day when Brad Arthur’s side host Wakefield Trinity in the traditional pre-season meeting between the West Yorkshire rivals.
It’s been a busy close-season for the former Salford prop and director of rugby, who is now a year-and-a-half into his current role, and plenty of it has been spent outside the UK.
Blease has visited Las Vegas, where Leeds will face Hull KR in a Super League fixture in February, Australia, where he had a catch-up with key contacts, and Tenerife, for the Rhinos’ recent warm-weather training camp.
In and among, he has sealed the signings of prop Jeremiah Mata’utia from the North Queensland Cowboys system, hooker Danny Levi from Canberra Raiders and second rower Ethan O’Neill from Leigh.
And in addition, contract extensions have been agreed with a number of players, including influential back and Man of Steel Jake Connor, as well as assistant coaches Scott Grix and Jamie Langley.
It’s all about creating stable foundations as Leeds work to get back to the days when they were dominating the game, and Blease believes exciting times are ahead as Arthur tries to build on last season’s fourth-place finish.
“We’ve been busy as a club, because we knew there were a lot of things to do, and we have made some progress,” he said.
“I have real confidence in this group.”
Leeds face Hull KR at the Allegiant Stadium on Saturday, February 28 as part of the third Rugby League extravaganza in the USA, with NRL sides Canterbury Bulldogs, Newcastle Knights, North Queensland and St George Illawarra Dragons also involved.
“It was a recce trip to run through the various arrangements and have a look at the stadium, which is amazing,” he reported.
“I think our fans will love it and it would be great to see as many as possible out there.
“With Australia, it’s a while since I last went, and I thought it was time to speak to a few people face to face in relaxed surroundings.
“I went to Canterbury, who we have liaised with over Vegas, and to Brisbane Broncos, and spent time in both camps. They are both great set-ups, and I learnt a lot.
“I also had the opportunity to meet agents and have a chat about various players. Those conversations were very productive and should stand us in good stead for years to come.
“It’s all about having a vision for the future and making sure we are in as good a position as possible to get the right players when the right opportunities come along.”
Blease said the opportunity to bring in Australian O’Neill on a three-year contract was unexpected but one the club was keen to take.
“We have a good relationship with Leigh, and that one moved pretty quickly,” he added.