Minchella and Jones-Buchanan praise McDermott appointment as Leigh legend earns deserved opportunity

Former Leeds Rhinos stars have rallied behind the appointment of McDermott as the club's new head coach, with two of the club's most decorated figures offering glowing endorsements of the decision.

Robbie Minchella, who played alongside McDermott during some of Leeds's most successful seasons, described the appointment as 'exciting' in comments that highlighted his belief in the former player's potential to guide the club forward.

Meanwhile, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, another Rhinos legend who forged a formidable partnership with McDermott on and off the field, insisted that his former teammate thoroughly deserves this opportunity after years of dedicated service to the sport.

'He's earned this every single day of his career,' Jones-Buchanan stated, emphasizing the hard work and commitment McDermott has demonstrated throughout his journey in rugby league.

The appointment comes at a crucial time for the club, which has been seeking stability after a period of transition. McDermott's deep understanding of the Rhinos culture, combined with his tactical acumen developed over decades in the sport, positions him as an ideal candidate to restore the club to competitive prominence.

Minchella further elaborated on McDermott's leadership qualities, noting that his ability to communicate with players and extract maximum performance aligns perfectly with what the current squad requires.

The pair's public backing adds significant weight to the appointment, with both former players maintaining strong connections within the rugby league community and offering credibility to the club's vision for the future.