Kevin Sinfield's No 13 shirt handed to Leeds team-mate Stevie Ward
Monday 16 November 2015 17:24, UK
Leeds Rhinos back-rower Stevie Ward has been handed Kevin Sinfield's No 13 shirt and a new five-year contract.
Twenty four hours after watching Kevin Sinfield make his rugby union debut, Leeds officially moved on from the departure of their record-breaking captain, who spent 15 years with the Rhinos.
Ward was dubbed 'the new Kevin Sinfield' when he broke into the Rhinos team in 2012. He becomes only the fifth Leeds player to wear 13 since squad numbers were introduced into Super League 20 years ago.
Ward, 21, who missed his club's Grand Final victory over Wigan because of a knee injury, has also agreed a new five-year contract that will keep him at Headingley at least until the end of the 2020 season.
"I am immensely proud that the club have decided to give me the No 13 squad number," Ward said. "It is a dream come true.
"I was six when Kev first wore it so that is all I have ever known and it is an honour to receive the number after him. Growing up supporting the Rhinos, it was my dream to play for Leeds, but it was always the No 13 shirt that I wanted to wear.
"I was delighted to sign my new contract as well. There is a great group of young players here at the club who have committed to each other and the club to take the Rhinos forward over the next few years."
Ward's form in 2015 was impressive enough to earn him a place in England coach Steve McNamara's provisional squad, but his season was brought to an early end by injury in the Rhinos' dramatic win at Huddersfield that secured the League Leaders' Shield and two thirds of the historic treble.
He will undergo surgery on Monday and looks certain to miss the start of the 2016 season.
Leeds coach Brian McDermott said: "I am really pleased for Stevie, he thoroughly deserves his new contract and the No 13 squad number.
"Inevitably people will talk about taking over from Kevin in that number but Stevie is a different player and person and the pressure he puts on himself to perform for Leeds every time he steps on the field will not change just because he is wearing 13 instead of 14.
"He has got a tough few months ahead of him now, but he is the best possible hands with our medical team and I am sure he will be a great addition to our squad when he is finally fit next season."
Sinfield marked his debut for the Rhinos' sister club Yorkshire Carnegie by kicking a penalty during a 15-minute cameo off the bench in a 32-10 win over Ospreys at Headingley.
