Big changes are coming to Headingley, which will involve Connor making his way to the club.
Leeds Rhinos’ interest in Jake Connor took many by surprise. The club is close to finalizing a deal for the Huddersfield Giants star, marking one of the first major signings under Brad Arthur’s leadership.
Connor is a divisive figure both as a player and a personality, so it’s no shock that Leeds’ pursuit has stirred mixed reactions. At 29, there’s no denying his talent. On his best days, Connor ranks among the competition’s top attacking players and has shown throughout his career that he can win games on his own.
However, the past couple of seasons haven’t gone as planned. Huddersfield Giants have struggled, slipping down the standings, and Connor has even found himself out of the lineup.
Jake Connor is rarely far from the spotlight, and this year has been no exception. He has frequently faced criticism from Sky Sports pundit Jon Wilkin and has been involved in several high-profile incidents that have raised questions about his behavior. Notably, Connor was sin-binned during the Challenge Cup semi-final and criticized for protesting to the referee instead of defending a play that allowed St Helens to score.
However, Connor’s controversial moments often overshadow his impressive performances. He was one of the competition’s standout players early in the season, providing six assists in as many games, and he played a key role in Huddersfield’s victory over Catalans in the Challenge Cup.
Given all of this, Leeds’ interest in the Great Britain international shouldn’t be too surprising. Brad Arthur has expressed his desire for an outside back with utility skills and a competitive edge, traits that Connor certainly possesses. Leeds had previously shown interest in Jordan Rapana before his move to Hull FC, indicating that adding depth in the outside back position has been a priority.
One advantage of signing Halifax-born Jake Connor is that he won’t take up one of Leeds Rhinos’ two open quota spots, which can instead be used to strengthen their forward pack, an area in need of reinforcement.
The club has already begun freeing up salary cap space, starting with Mickael Goudemand’s early exit last week. More departures are expected, and in that context, a move for Connor seems to make even more sense as the roster reshaping continues.
Another key point is that Connor is a capable goal-kicker, a skill Leeds will need with Rhyse Martin set to leave next season. Connor’s 74.1% kicking success rate over the past two seasons provides a reliable option heading into 2025.
Like any signing, there is some risk involved, and Leeds must determine where Connor will play and ensure he consistently delivers his best performance. However, if Brad Arthur can unlock Connor’s potential, the Rhinos will have a player capable of breaking through any defence.
One criticism of Leeds this season, particularly early on, was their difficulty in turning good attacking sets into points. With Connor, it’s likely this issue will be resolved.
From an outsider’s perspective, it’s clear that both Connor and his current club, Huddersfield, are ready to move in different directions. This deal appears to be in the best interest of both parties, but it also offers the potential for Leeds and Connor to thrive together.