The Leeds legend is reinvigorated at Hull KR and looking forward to the new Super League season even if his son is finding it harder to switch allegiances
Danny McGuire is optimistic about Hull KR’s chances in Super League: ‘You’ve got to aim high. Simply surviving is not enough for me’.
Photograph: Tony Foster
For the first time in almost two decades there is an unusual sense of pressure on Danny McGuire’s shoulders. One of the most successful players in Super League history, his 20-year association with his hometown club, Leeds, coincided with one of the most dominant periods of the game in recent history. Now, aged 35, he starts a season with a club whose last Super League season ended in relegation via the 2016 Million Pound Game.
Since joining the Rhinos at the age of 12 McGuire had known nothing else. His early years with the club were lean and character-forming but in the next 15 eight Grand Final victories followed. No club has won more – nor will they for quite some time, even if Leeds stop here.
But midway through last year McGuire made a decision few could have imagined ever materialising: it was time for a change. At the time Hull KR were still in the Championship, plotting their return to Super League, a mission they would ultimately accomplish with some ease in the Qualifiers.
Even then, though, McGuire knew they were the club for him. “It’s like being back at school for the first time in a long time,” he says. “At Leeds everyone knew what you were capable of. It gives me a spring in my step; I’ve got to go and impress new people at the age of 35 – which is exciting for me. The club as a whole has huge potential. I already know it was the right move.”
It is back at home in Leeds where the greater pressures lie for McGuire, in convincing his family of passionate Leeds supporters, including his four‑year‑old son, to switch allegiances. “My little lad is a bit conflicted,” he says. “He’s only four and he still wears his Leeds hat to school most days. But he’s got a Hull KR kit and I’m trying to get it on him as much as possible. He knows the Hull KR songs, though, and once I get playing, he’ll hopefully be converted. He’s Daddy’s biggest fan so he doesn’t have much choice. All my family came to every Leeds game, they all love Leeds and are passionate fans, so it’s a big change for everyone. We’ll all get used to it, though.”
His family do not have much time to adjust, as Hull KR’s return to Super League begins on Friday with a Yorkshire derby against Wakefield. It is inevitable many have tipped his new side to struggle; some believe just making the top eight would be success for the Robins. Unsurprisingly, McGuire does not see it that way. “I don’t want to set unrealistic targets but you’ve got to aim high,” he says. “Simply surviving is not enough for me; it doesn’t fit with my ambition and that’s why I signed here.”
McGuire is the fifth Leeds big name in three years to leave the club after winning a Grand Final. The other four – Kevin Sinfield, Jamie Peacock, Kylie Leuluai and Rob Burrow – all called time on their rugby league careers. Was McGuire ever tempted to follow? “Never,” he says. “In 2016, when I had a few injuries and Leeds were struggling, it did cross my mind to finish. But last year I knew I was playing well and I knew I still had something to offer the game. There was never any doubt about carrying on. It’s just the decision to move, that was the big challenge. But starting afresh is reinvigorating.”
Given the respect he commands, it was inevitable McGuire would receive plenty of offers when word spread he would leave Leeds at the end of last season. He has always remained coy about where those offers came from – until now. “There were a couple of discussions with Toronto but it never got too deep or advanced,” he says. “I spoke to Brian Noble [the Wolfpack’s director of rugby] but it would have never worked where I was and what I was wanting to do. I don’t think I wanted to move my children out of school in Leeds and uproot the family. This is the perfect move for me; the club are ambitious – like myself – and we’ve got the potential to surprise a few people. I’ve used the word a lot but that chance to prove people wrong excites me.”
McGuire does not have to wait long for his return to Leeds as their round two game takes place at Elland Road, home of McGuire’s beloved Leeds United. But who will his biggest supporter be cheering for on the night? “He’ll probably have a Hull KR kit with a Leeds Rhinos hat,” McGuire says, laughing. “It’s only a fortnight away … but I am working on him.”
2018 kick-off
Round one of the new Super League gets under way this week:
Thursday 1 Feb
Warrington v Leeds 7.45pm*
Hull FC v Huddersfield8pm
Friday 2 Feb
Salford v Wigan 7.30pm
St Helens v Castleford7.45pm*
Hull KR v Wakefield8pm
Sunday 4 Feb
Widnes v Catalans3pm
*Live on Sky Sports