Murray brought ‘steeliness’ to Rhinos, praises Sinfield

Tributes have been pouring in for the Australian coach who passed away on Sunday, aged just 58. Sinfield, who makes his 500th career appearance at London Broncos on Thursday, was still a rookie striving for his A-levels when he worked under Murray during his formative years.

In his two seasons at Headingley, Leeds reached the 1998 inaugural Grand Final and also won the 1999 Challenge Cup.

“He was an influence on me,” said Sinfield, who made his Leeds debut in 1997.

“It was during the time when I was studying a fair bit and travelling over (from Oldham).

“I wasn’t in full-time for that ‘98 year when they really did fantastic. It was more ‘99 for myself.

“It was great to be a part of that Challenge Cup winning squad – I played in the quarter-final – and to go through all that.

“For me, Graham was a big disciplinarian.

“I read a comment from Barrie (McDermott) yesterday saying that he started the success off here but I think it probably started before him with Dean Bell.

“What I think Graham did, though, was instil a steeliness certainly to the pack we had at that time with the likes of (Anthony) Farrell, (Darren) Fleary, Barrie, (Martin) Massella, Moz (Adrian Morley) and Marc Glanville.

“They bashed teams and I got a lot from him.

“Likewise I’ve got a lot from different people but I think it’s a sad, sad day for our club and obviously his family. On both sides of the world there will be a lot of people who will miss Graham and what he did and certainly what he did here for the club.”

Leeds were a particularly tough side under Murray’s tutelage, even having an abrasive character like Daryl Powell offering not just class but extra bite from stand-off.

Now in charge of Castleford Tigers, Powell admitted: “As a player, he was a pleasure to be around and to work with.

“I had a fair few run-ins with him because he had a cranky edge to him, but he got the best out of people. As a coach, what I took from him was how strong and principled he was and how good he was at motivating people.

“My wife talks about how he knew everybody’s first name, he was very special in that regard.

“I have never met anybody since who could motivate a club and a group of players the way he could.”

Leeds will wear black armbands as a mark of respect at Thursday’s game and have also asked for a minute’s silence.

Hull KR are reportedly closing in on a deal for Australian scrum-half Kris Keating as a replacement for NRL-bound captain Michael Dobson. The Canterbury Bulldogs player, 24, featured in last season’s Grand Final loss against Melbourne Storm but is keen to move to Super League.

Given they could potentially be crowned as League Leaders’ Shield winners, it is no surprise Huddersfield Giants’ final regular home game against Wakefield Trinity Wildcats on Sunday, September 1 has been selected for live broadcast with its kick-off time duly changing to 6.15pm.