Cameron Smith to use Rob Burrow’s teachings as Leeds look to honour legend
CAMERON Smith knows there is only one way to honour the iconic Rob Burrow, by using his teachings to help Leeds to a win.
Just like he did in the last Rhinos match the hero saw the day before his death.
Today sees the men’s team take to the field for the first time since the rugby league legend passed away after living with motor neurone disease for four-and-a-half years.
Skipper Smith will lay a wreath on the pitch at Hull FC before kick-off, as will the hosts’ former Rhino Liam Sutcliffe.
Leeds City Council will also consider a permanent tribute in the city to the man who inspired millions of pounds in fundraising, along with vital awareness.
His legacy will remain on the field as loose forward Smith was taken under Burrow’s wing as a 16-year-old first team debutant and academy player he coached.
And after leading his side in tributes, with two visits to see fans’ flowers and shirts – all 668 of them, now is time to follow the win over Castleford Burrow watched on TV. With what he told him fresh in his mind.
Smith said: “He always used to say to me, especially when I was coming into the full-time environment, ‘If you’re good enough, you’re old enough.’
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“Not long after, I made my debut with him at Huddersfield and he just told me to relax.
“He did a lot in terms of my ball-playing ability and spent a lot of time with me on what to do in certain situations.
“We spoke a lot about deception, changing the ball in your hands. On top of that, he just wanted me to express myself. When I came into the first team, it was, ‘Don’t change the way you play.’ That sticks with me today.
“Rob was always a calming character. He always used to get to a game two hours before kick-off and would just be sat there.
“It was just another day for him. It just put me at ease, especially early in my career.”
Burrow’s legacy will forever remain in the Rob Burrow Centre for MND, which is being built at Leeds’ Seacroft Hospital.
Pal and former captain Kevin Sinfield will add more to the millions of pounds he has raised for MND charities with his fifth physical challenge in December.
Another team-mate and friend, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, is helping put together plans for the Rhinos’ first home game, against Leigh on Friday.
He said: “The impact he’s left behind is unquantifiable. The legacy humbles us all. We’ll never be able to measure it and Rob will carry on for many years.
“It’s the biggest USP of rugby league for me, a community that comes together during adversity. It’s proved it time and time again – and Cam’s been outstanding.”
Leeds look to build on the Castleford win and Smith feels making the top six is the best way to mark the man who lived two minutes down the road, who he saw the more serious side of as a coach.
The 25-year-old told SunSport: “My first interactions with Rob were as academy head coach before I became his team-mate.
“He was stern when he needed to be and knew what certain people needed, whether that be a mouthful or an arm around them.
“We’d travel to training together every now and again, especially when I was younger.
“He never got me with a prank but I’ve heard plenty of stories about them. You had to be more aware of him when he was quiet!
“The support Rob’s received at Headingley has been pretty breathtaking and the national recognition has been no surprise – it’s what he deserves – and what Hull are doing to acknowledge him is awesome.
“Above everything, I saw him as my friend. He was an awesome, top guy.
“Rob’s always going to be a Leeds Rhinos player and I was told that the day before his passing, he watched us play against Castleford.
“It was fitting we put in a good performance and got a good score. It’s important we continue that. We want to get back to the level of that golden generation Rob played a massive part in.”