Kruise Leeming won’t be satisfied with just helping Wigan Warriors win the coveted title of being the greatest rugby league club in the world this season.
He wants more, and Matt Peet’s team is already starting to smell like Wembley as they prepare for a Challenge Cup semi-final matchup against Hull Kingston Rovers.
Additionally, there is a strong desire to keep the Super League trophy and the League Leaders’ Shield secure at DW Stadium.
For this reason, at the end of the previous season, Leeming decided to join the Warriors instead of a number of other teams after playing for the Gold Coast Titans in the NRL.
The hooker scored in the Cherry and Whites’ historic World Club Challenge victory over the reigning NRL champion Penrith Panthers on February 24 in just his second game for the team.
However, that accomplishment by itself won’t be enough for a team with Wigan’s distinguished past and aspirations this year.
Leeming told Love Rugby League after contributing significantly off the bench in Thursday’s 30-8 victory over the Catalans Dragons at home: “At a club like Wigan, if we said we weren’t looking to win more trophies then people would see through it and know we were lying.”
After my time in Australia, signing a four-year contract to come to Wigan was a huge step for me at this point in my career.
Which rugby league team would maximise my potential both as a player and as a person outside of the game?
“After speaking with numerous coaches and touring numerous clubs and their facilities, I concluded that Wigan was the team where I would most likely succeed.
“I think I made the best choice, and it’s exceeded my expectations; I had no idea it would be as good as it has been.”
The close-knit culture that head coach Peet has established at the team’s training facility in Robin Park has received a lot of attention.
However, Leeming emphasised that the core of Wigan’s ethos was humility.
“We have a very good culture and that itself,” he went on gives the playing group and the atmosphere here a humility.
Yes, we did win the World Club Challenge, but it also makes you humble, and the next week we started thinking about how we could improve.
We also possess the humility to study other teams that have performed well against us and learn a few things from them as well.
After a small amount of success, some teams believe that’s it and that they can never get any better.
“We are modest enough to constantly strive for improvement and put in a lot of effort, even though we do want success and more trophies.”
Before joining Leeds Rhinos and leading them to Challenge Cup triumph in 2020 behind closed doors against Salford Red Devils, Leeming established his reputation with the Huddersfield Giants.
After a falling out with Head Coach Rohan Smith in March of last year, the 28-year-old Yorkshireman left Headingley and played the remainder of the season at Gold Coast before rejoining Wigan in the Super League.
Leeming, who continues to reside in his home region of West Yorkshire, finds comfort in the harsh, unforgiving atmosphere there.
He clarified, “You have to be constantly striving for the highest possible standards every single day as a professional sportsperson.”
You’re not a true professional if you accept anything less.
“Those who experience such feelings are either nearing the end of their professional lives or have somewhat lost themselves.
“I signed with Wigan to be a part of those elite standards; I don’t think it’s fair to come in second.”
“My entire career, I’ve been searching for coming first, and I feel like I’m at home at Wigan right now.”
It’s nerve-wracking to come into training every day because you’re trying to get better and there aren’t many opportunities for error. Don’t get me wrong.
But that’s what keeps you on the pitch performing your extras and what motivates you to get out of bed in the morning.
That’s when you look outside and realise it’s wet and cold, and you wonder, ‘Do I really need to go outside and do my extras?’
“Of course you do, because if you don’t, you fall behind, and the result is that I improve and become the best player I can be.” That’s my desire.
With homegrown Brad O’Neill regarded as the team’s first-choice starting hooker, Leeming is still figuring out his place on the pitch.
However, as he demonstrated against Penrith and in Thursday’s victory over Catalans, Leeming is capable of drastically accelerating the pace of play.
He scored in the team’s victory over the Panthers after coming off the bench, but he was out for a month due to an ankle injury.
However, he has since come back to support Wigan in getting to Wembley within 80 minutes and solidifying their status as title contenders once more.
It is evident from their defensive performance against Catalans that a unique team will be needed to unseat them from the Super League trophy later in the season.
Leeming stated, “I want to be as effective as possible by bringing a different dynamic. It’s about finding my role in the team.”
The goal is to fit in as best as possible for the team, whether that means starting, playing 80 minutes, or coming off the bench to quicken the attack.
The next game is a Saturday trip to Huddersfield, where Sam Walters may make his Wigan jersey debut as a senior after recovering from an injury.
“It’ll be a great game and what I’ve realised from playing for Wigan is that everyone raises their game against us,” says Leeming, who is looking forward to the matchup.
“I’ve played for a few different clubs, and every time you play the champions, the opposition wants to see how strong they are against you.
“I’ve been in that other dressing room, and when teams play the top sides, you can see the intensity rise.
We won’t back down from that; in fact, it brings out the best in us.
“Next Saturday’s game against Huddersfield is going to be tough; they are a great team.”
Regarding the possible contribution that powerful forward Walters, a former Leeds teammate, might make this season, Leeming remarked, “Sam’s a great player and he will only get better at Wigan.”
“Since we attended Leeds together, we are friends, and it’s good to travel this journey together.
“Matty has talked to us about the decisions he needs to make regarding team selection, and he might get a chance next week. These are good decisions to make because of the calibre of our squad.”
