Walters keen to forget treble success and start afresh

Correspondent

Josh Walters wants Leeds to put the last season’s treble success to one side and start afresh ahead of the new season. 

Although he was a bit-part player for the club throughout the year, Walters came on to score the decisive try in the 2015 Grand Final against Wigan Warriors in a 22-20 victory. 

That victory against Wigan handed the Rhinos the illustrious treble of the League Leaders Shield, the Challenge Cup and the Super League trophy. 

But despite the obvious success, Walters admits that whilst 2015 was a year to cherish, it’s key for the upcoming season that the Rhinos put the treble to one side and start anew in February. 

“it is about forgetting last year now,” Walters told the Yorkshire Evening Post. 

“It is a great achievement to win the treble and it was fantastic to play a small part in that, but we have got to put it behind us. It is a new-look team now. There’s a lot of younger lads and we all need to step up to the plate this year.”

Walters made just nine appearances for Leeds throughout 2015, and the second rower admitted that it was tough not getting as much playing time as he wanted, but was grateful to Brian McDermott for showing faith in him. 

“At times last year I was doubting whether I was even going to play again before the end of the season,” he said. 

“For Mac (head coach Brian McDermott) to show faith in me and put me in the Grand Final team and then give me big minutes again in the Boxing Day game, it all builds confidence. It is going to be hard to get in the team, it was hard last year and it’s not going to be any different.”

The 21 year-old is still fairly new to the sport of rugby league, having moved to club from Yorkshire Carnegie in 2013. But Walters says that despite the fact he is still learning all the time, it’s something that he is thoroughly enjoying. 

“This is my second professional pre-season. I am still getting used to it, but I love doing it,” he said.

“I am still fairly new to the game, I am still learning with every step. I am doing it with a smile on my face and that helps, because if you love doing something it’s not really work.”

“I have got to get my head down and keep working hard. I am still getting used to the game and still learning every week and that is all I can do.”