Burrow to captain Leeds in McGuire’s absence

Correspondent

Rob Burrow has been named by Brian McDermott as captain of Leeds Rhinos in the three months that Danny McGuire is out injured.

McGuire was sidelined in the club’s opening game of the 2016 Super League season against Warrington, and has been ruled out for three months with a knee injury.

This is made Brian McDermott having to deal with life without his captain, and has acted accordingly in picking Burrow, who is in his 16th season with his boyhood club. 

Burrow has already expressed his delight and honour at being given the opportunity to lead the club he has supported all his life.

“I’m absolutely honoured, I’m just filling in for Danny whilst he’s out injured but I’m really thankful to be made captain,” Burrow told the club’s official website.

“I love this club and hopefully I’ll do them proud. Obviously Danny is still the captain off the pitch, but maybe on the pitch I’ll make a few decisions.”

Burrow has made over 400 appearances for the Rhinos during his time at the club, but this will be his first time entering the field as captain. When asked whether the captaincy would change the way he played at the weekendin terms of organising the side, the 33 year-old said he did not think it would.

“I wouldn’t have to do more than I would generally as that’s normally what hookers do anyway,” he said.

“The team is pretty organised by themselves anyway and there’s a lot of leaders in the team and a lot of communication. It’ll be pretty easy and I’ll probably have to do very little but if it needs me to make a decision then I’ll do it.”

Leeds will contest the World Club Challenge against the North Queensland Cowboys in a bid to hold all four trophies at the same time, and Burrow admits that leading the side out would be a career highlight for himself.

“It’ll be a real honour, it doesn’t get much better than that,” he said.

“I’ve been very thankful to enjoy a lot of success but this is up there with winning a ring. To represent Leeds, although in a short term capacity it’s still an absolute privilege. I’ve supported this club all my life so to look back when I finish and to have captain the team for a few games is something I’ll never forget.”