YORKSHIRE BLOODING

Croft starts against old pals

- DAVE CRAVEN

BRODIE CROFT is a rugby league “nerd” but he’s out to make Leeds cool again.

All eyes are on the brilliant Aussie stand-off after his big-money move from Salford to Rhinos.

The West Yorkshire club hope the former Man of Steel can bring some razzle dazzle to their play after they bombed last year.

Leeds, who haven’t finished in the top four since their last title in 2017, start their Super League campaign against his former club on Friday.

Cash-strapped Salford needed to sell Croft and England hooker Andy Ackers to Leeds to help balance the books.

Croft, 26, wrestled with all sorts of emotions and wrote a list of pros and cons before finally deciding to accept the deal.