Jarrod O’Connor has declared his goal to be Leeds Rhinos’ starting hooker in Super League this season as he targets round three for his return to full fitness.

O’Connor injured his knee on Boxing Day and will be out of action until at least late February. The 23-year-old is working hard on his rehabilitation but knows he has a fight on his hands to win the starting hooking role at Leeds over teammate Andy Ackers.

“I want to be the starting 9 for this year,” he told Everything Rugby League.

“Me and Ackers are both fighting for that spot, which will only benefit the team. Me and him are really good mates so its quite a good thing that we keep pushing each other in all aspects of training.

“That’s the really positive part of it. I want to be a 9, that’s where I’ve played my better games. If I do start or whatever, the thought of when the other 9 comes on I can go to 13, which is what I’m hoping to do.”

O’Connor admits it was a nightmare to pick up the MCL injury in the friendly victory over Wakefield.

“It was pretty gutting, especially in a friendly,” he said.

“Then again, I’d probably rather it in that game and hopefully I’m only missing three or four games, instead of eight to 10 during the season.

“Round three or four is what I’m aiming for [to come back]. We’ll just take it how it comes.”

The Rhinos have been put through a gruelling pre-season under coach Brad Arthur. The Australian has reshaped the squad with the likes of James Donaldson, Rhyse Martin, David Fusitu’a, Corey Johnson, Mickael Goudemand, Justin Sangare and Paul Momirovski departing, and with the arrivals of Ryan Hall, Keenan Palasia, Cooper Jenkins and Jake Connor.

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Hopes are high at Headingley that Leeds can turn things around after a disappointing season again last year.

“Pre-season has been really enjoyable,” O’Connor said.

“The hard work side of it I enjoyed. Just getting everyone in and seeing how we’re gelling as a team. I think we’re looking really good.

“We’ve got more competition for places this year, which is probably the most exciting thing, especially in the forward pack. I know people were saying it was a big thing last year.

“So having that pack to give us a big platform going forward is the most exciting thing, especially as a nine, playing off the back of that. There’s really exciting things to come this year.”

2024 was an important year for the forward. The son of former Great Britain prop Terry O’Connor, Jarrod got married to his partner Emily in Crete.

“It was really good,” he said.

“Everyone says it’s the best day of your life and it genuinely was. It was such a good day and just having everyone over was really special.”

The hooker was also one of Leeds’ most consistent players in a tough season. He made 28 appearances, scoring one try, but the Rhinos failed to make to top six.

His performances caught the eye of Hull FC, who approached Leeds about signing the rake, but the approach was rebuffed.

O’Connor, who signed from Widnes in 2019, is enjoying life at Headingley and is not interested in a move away.

“I think they literally approached the club and Leeds just said no straight away,” O’Connor said.

“I didn’t speak to them at all. I’m really happy here. I think this is my sixth year playing first-team here, it’s flown by. It’s crazy to be honest.”