Bodene Thompson cancels his day off after ‘annoying’ Leeds Rhinos debut

The New Zealand-born second-row joined from Toronto Wolfpack last Wednesday and played an hour of Sunday’s 28-10 loss to Wigan Warriors.

Admittedly, he had very little preparation time with his new team-mates and it was also his first game since Toronto beat Huddersfield Giants before lockdown in March.

However, the former Warrington Wolves Grand Finalist still expected more from himself and has vowed to be in better shape when Rhinos next play against Salford Red Devils on August 29.

Thompson, 32, said: “I was very grateful to get an opportunity and to play 60-something minutes and get a first hit-out.

“But I was very disappointed we lost and not happy as well with my performance, so there’s plenty to work on.

“That’s just my standards; I am hard on myself. I came to training (yesterday morning) and flogged myself with the boys that didn’t play, because I was annoyed I didn’t play 80 minutes and I was not as fit as I can be.

“I know you get match fitness when you play consistently game after game after game and it just comes. Sometimes you can do all the running in the world, but you play your game and you’re not there. It was mainly that – and I made one error so I was annoyed about that.”

Thompson has signed for Leeds until the end of this season after financially troubled Toronto withdrew from Super League, unable to complete their fixtures after being badly hit by the knock-on effects of Covid-19.

It remains to be seen where he will play in 2021 and admitted: “It is a bit of a confusing one because I agreed a few months ago to a three-year extension with Toronto from next year.

“Obviously Leeds is an awesome club and who knows? I would have to make a decision if Leeds did want to keep me on, what’s best for me and my partner.

“I’d have to see what my partner wanted to do, but I’d be humbled if I got a contract offer here.”