Wednesday 1 April 2015 23:28, UK
Castleford head coach Daryl Powell says he was taken by surprise at the news that Kevin Sinfield will be switching codes at the end of the current season.
The 34-year-old Leeds forward will be joining sister club Yorkshire Carnegie on an 18-month contract later this year when he quits league for union.
Sinfield made the announcement on Tuesday but Powell believes he will be 'targeted by opponents' following his high-profile career in rugby league.
Powell, who has known Rhinos’ skipper Sinfield for many years, says he will find the change of code tough going but is still backing the former England captain to succeed at the 15-man game. Carnegie compete in the second tier of English rugby union.
It's certainly a challenge. You look at Sam Burgess and what he's going through, and Iestyn Harris – it's tough. It's not an easy thing to do.
Powell said: "It surprised me. It will be interesting to see if he can make a success of it but he's been an outstanding player and captain within the sport and you wouldn't back against him. I think he's been unbelievable in his career.
"He won't need my advice. He knows what he's doing. I'm sure he will have done all his homework.
"It's certainly a challenge. You look at Sam Burgess and what he's going through, and Iestyn Harris – it's tough. It's not an easy thing to do.
'Target'
"The one thing you do have is a bit of a sign on you, on your head. You're a bit of a target. It's a completely different sport. It will be interesting to see what position he's going to play but I wish him all the best."
Sinfield has led Leeds to six Super League titles, three World Club Challenge triumphs and the Challenge Cup in 2014.
Powell also said that Leeds possess a ready-made replacement for Sinfield in 20-year-old Liam Sutcliffe
"They've got some really good young players," he added. "Liam has slotted in there and seems to be doing a good job.
“He looks like a mature young player who can handle things pretty much the way Kevin did when he was a young fella.”
Meanwhile, Sinfield has been named in the Leeds squad for Friday's Super League derby at Castleford but Rhinos coach Brian McDermott will not rush his skipper back too soon.
McDermott said: "I'm not sure if he's going to be fit for Good Friday. We have got to make sure when Kev does come back into the team that he's 100 per cent fit.
"Sutcliffe's played really well in these last couple of games. He's held his own and in some parts of the games has played really well.
"It's good to know that while Kevin's in recovery, Sutty is doing a good job and getting more experience."
