Sinfield excited by code switch

Kevin Sinfield: switching to union

OLDHAM-born rugby league legend Kevin Sinfield “didn’t want any regrets about missed opportunities” after he decided to switch codes.

Leeds’ influential captain will end his long association with the Rhinos at the end of the season and finish his playing career with rugby union sister club Yorkshire Carnegie.

The 34–year–old former England skipper has led the Rhinos to six Super League titles, three World Club Challenges and one Challenge Cup success since making his debut for the club at the age of 16.

The former Waterhead ARLFC junior has never played rugby union, but already identified a role for himself in his new sport as he follows in the footsteps of Jason Robinson, Andy Farrell and Sam Burgess.

“Ideally I’d like to play fly–half,” Sinfield (pictured) said. “It’s the position that suits the skill set I have the best. I understand the challenge that’s in front of me and the difficulties rugby league players have faced crossing over. That’s why I think I’m in the best possible place to help with that transition.

“Playing union is something I’ve always wanted to do. I didn’t want to end my career and have regrets about missed opportunities. When this opportunity came up I knew it was the right thing.

“I’m excited by it. I know the potential at the club and it’s something I’d like to be a part of.

“I’m very respectful of the game and I like watching it. I think a lot of rugby league people look down on rugby union, and I think a lot of rugby union people look down on rugby league. But I like both games.

“As a sportsman, to get the opportunity to play another professional sport is something that really appeals to me.”

After a glittering career in the 13-a-side game, Sinfield admitted the chance to play rugby union was too good to turn down.

He went on: “This was one of the toughest decisions of my career, but I know the time is right for me to finish my time in rugby league and embark on a new challenge with Yorkshire Carnegie.

“I never wanted to play against the Rhinos and throughout my career I have always had an admiration for rugby union and wanted to challenge myself in that code.

“I am fortunate as a professional player in this era that opportunities like this exist for me and it is something I want to grab with both hands.

“Sir Ian McGeechan, the new board and owners of Yorkshire Carnegie have set out ambitious plans to gain promotion from the Greene King IPA Championship next season and regain their place in the Aviva Premiership and that is something that excites me.

“It is a new challenge for me and I know I will have a lot to learn. However, we spend a lot of time with the Carnegie players at our training ground at Kirkstall so that will help me settle in.

“My entire adult life has been spent at Leeds Rhinos and I am extremely grateful for all the support I have had over the past two decades.

“My goal now is to do whatever I can to make sure we have further success this year and finish the season and my Rhinos career on the best possible note.”

Leeds Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington said: “When Kevin signed his last five–year contract in 2012 it was with the understanding that he could decide to leave at the end of any season, unrestricted, provided we were notified at the start of the season so we could begin to plan for the future.

“If any player in the history of our club deserves the right to choose when he moves on to the next stage of his career it is Kevin Sinfield.

“Kevin notified me of his decision six weeks ago and I alerted the new management of Yorkshire Carnegie of his availability and desire to play rugby union. We are pleased he will remain at Headingley Carnegie and he has agreed a contract with Yorkshire Carnegie until June 2017 from 1st November this year.”


Hear the full interview here:

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