Zak Hardaker delighted to be at Leeds but admits they nearly missed signing him
Tuesday 6 October 2015 22:40, UK
Zak Hardaker almost slipped through the Leeds Rhinos' hands before he arrived at Headingley, the newly-crowned Man of Steel has revealed.
The 23-year-old full-back had Super League clubs queuing up to sign him five years ago after deciding, with the blessing of his home-town club Featherstone, to take the step up from part-time rugby.
However, he had to wait for the Rhinos to come calling and admits there was plenty of interest from elsewhere before contact was eventually made with them.
"I had a choice of a few," Hardaker said. "Warrington wanted to sign me, Wigan had words about me, Hull FC and then Leeds came in for me.
"They were one of the last clubs to come in, but once I heard they wanted to sign me, I jumped at the chance.
"My agent had a little chat with Wigan. The teams that came in for me at the time, I just thought 'wow, why are they interested in a lad from Fev? [Featherstone]
"Fev played a massive part. The relationship between [chairman] Mark Campbell and [Leeds chief executive] Gary Hetherington was special, and they wanted my career to kick on and not for me to disappear.
"They knew I had something special to offer. They both talked about it and, looking back, when I thought Leeds was the right choice, doing the things I've done has proved that decision to be right."
Hardaker has been through some tough times since his arrival at Headingley, being fined for a breach of the club's player code as far back as 2012.
Live Super League Grand Final
Last season, he was given a five-match ban for a homophobic comment and earlier this year, he was sent by Leeds on an anger management course after admitting assaulting a student.
But his form this season has been sensational, and he now hopes to complete the domestic treble on Saturday when the Rhinos look to add the Grand Final to their Challenge Cup and League Leaders' Shield successes.
"Everyone goes through dark times as a rugby league player;" he said. "There are things that happen in life and I've been involved in things where I could have got out but I've stayed and faced the consequences.
"I've hit some bumps but come out of the other side smiling and I'm playing well and playing the sport I wanted to play since I was three or four years old. Everyone has different journeys - some people don't have much drama in their lives.
"This proves I'm a strong character, it's not bad to win an accolade like this. You can't be off the pitch and doing silly stuff and coming on to the field and producing your best rugby. I've turned my game up a notch and this is a true reward for that."
Watch the Grand Final between the Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors live on Sky Sports 1 HD on Saturday - coverage from Old Trafford begins at 5.00pm.
