McGuire ready to tame temper to lead Leeds

Correspondent

Leeds Rhinos‘ new skipper Danny McGuire is looking to take a calmer attitude onto the pitch with him, in his first season as first-team captain.

McGuire follows in the footsteps of Kevin Sinfield as skipper, and he acknowledges how much he has learned from playing alongside his former team-mate for so many years.

“It’s a massive honour, and I’m in a privileged position to be able to lead the lads out,” he said.

“I’m following in big footsteps in terms of what Kev [Sinfield] has achieved and what he has done for the club.

“I’m excited, and I’m going to do it my way. Hopefully it’ll be another successful year.

“Kev’s persona is very relaxed and very calm, and that’s how he went about his leadersip.

“Everybody has got their own way of going about things.

“I’m going to do it my way, but realise I’ve picked up a lot of great things that Kev’s done along the way as well.

McGuire does admit that he may well have to temper his passion a little now that he is in a named leadership role at the club.

“I think as a half-back you’re almost a captain anyway, without realising it,” he said.

“I’m quite bossy, I boss the lads about. I realise I’ve probably got a bit more responsibility, and I probably have to be a bit calmer at times.

“That’s my personality – I play with quite a bit of passion, I’m proud to play for this club.

“But obviously I realise that I might have to rein it in at times.

“I’m not going to change too much. I’m just going to enjoy it.

“I’ve got plenty of players around me who are experienced and understand it, so I’m sure I’ll be getting a lot of help along the way too.”

McGuire is also ready for any additional pressure that may come with being captain, though with Brian McDermott as his coach he ackowledges that pressure is always a part of playing for a club like Leeds.

“I don’t feel too much pressure. There’s pressure whenever you pull the shirt on at Leeds,” he said.

“Whether you’re the captain or not, I don’t think there’s that much difference.

“There’s pressure to perform every week, especially when Mac’s [McDermott] breathing down your neck as well.

“I’m more excited than anything.”