Bodene Thompson: Leeds Rhinos makes team-first pledge - and explains his new look

Along with Jack Broadbent, Alex Mellor, Jarrod O’Connor, Liam Tindall and Jack Sinfield, Thompson has featured in all Leeds’ three pre-season games so far.

The New Zealand-born back-rower was among the substitutes, for the third successive game, in the 30-12 win at Bradford Bulls two days ago.

He was also one of the few experienced players to feature in the second half of the previous week’s victory over Featherstone Rovers.

Tom Holroyd suffered an ankle injury in that match which will keep him on the sidelines for up to 12 weeks and Thompson is a potential candidate to take over at prop during his layoff.

“I don’t know,” Thompson said when asked where he will be playing this year. “I have been playing in the middle, I did a 35-minute stint in the middle [against Bulls] and then a 15.

“It is just one of those things, we have got a really strong squad and I will be pushing and training hard to get my fitness up and making sure I am knocking at the door.

“I will play anywhere; I am a team-first kind of guy, so whatever’s best for the team I will do.”

Rhinos have a final first team hit out this Sunday when Hull are the visitors for Tom Briscoe’s testimonial game. That comes 13 days before the home clash with one of Thompson’s former clubs, Warrington Wolves, in Betfred Super League round one.

“Our team is looking sharp,” Thompson said. “We are definitely going to be up there; everyone’s pushing for spots, we have got 32 fit players at the moment and it’s really exciting - I can’t wait for round one.

“It is a big difference, this time last year we had 15 injuries or something. Now we’ve got competition for spots, training is really intense - the new trainer [Richard Hunwicks] has upped the game and everyone’s training as hard as they can.

“It [pre-season] has been good.”