Daryl Powell recalled being taken aback by just how small Rob Burrow was - before being blown away by his “phenomenal” talent.
The Wakefield chief gave the Leeds icon, who has died aged 41 after battling Motor Neurone Disease for four and a half years, his full Rhinos debut in 2001. Tributes have been paid across the country to Burrow, after going public with his own battle and helping to raise millions for others struggling with MND.
And Rugby League fans will have the chance to celebrate his life and accomplishments again on Saturday, with tributes planned throughout the day of finals. Powell, who coached Burrow in the academy, will lead his Wakefield side out in the 1985 Cup final against Sheffield.
Ex-Great Britain centre Powell, 58, paid his own tribute to his former player, he said: “I remember seeing him training as a scholarship player and thinking, ‘this kid’s a bit small.’ Then I saw him training and realised what a phenomenal prospect he was. As he grew as a player he was outstanding, and his ability to beat an opponent was second to none.”
Powell added: “Once Rob got that number seven shirt, which has become iconic with his name attached to it, he never looked back. He had an unbelievable career, going to finals and tearing teams to shreds.
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“He was such a tough young man. To play rugby league when you’re Rob’s size you need to have an unbelievable, Herculean spirit to be able to do that, and he had that for sure.”
Rob Burrow won two Challenge Cups during his time playing for Leeds Rhinos (GETTY)The 1895 Cup final ends a bumper day of Rugby League action at Wembley, which will also include both the men's and women's Challenge Cup finals. Burrow won the competition twice as a player and bosses have confirmed there will be a number of tributes to him across the day.
RL Commercial’s managing director Rhodri Jones said: “Saturday provides us with an opportunity to celebrate Rob’s life. All eight competing teams will show their respect for Rob and their support for the battle he championed against Motor Neurone Disease.”
A minute's silence will be staged before both Challenge Cup finals, while a minute's applause will be carried out in the seventh minute of every game - the number he wore throughout his Rhinos career.
England centre Caitlin Beevers, who plays for Rhinos in the women’s Challenge Cup final against St Helens at Wembley, said: “I grew up watching Leeds and the golden generation.
Fans have been leaving messages and tribues to Burrow outside Headingley in Leeds (PA Wire/PA Images)“And I started out as a half-back playing in boys teams so Rob was always someone I aspired to be. He was always around the club inspiring us all to make the most of our Leeds journeys.”
Kevin Sinfield, his former Leeds team-mate who alongside Burrow has raised more than £15million for MND awareness, gave an emotional tribute to his best friend. He was speaking after a groundbreaking ceremony for the MND centre at Seacroft Hospital in Leeds - which will be named after Burrow - went ahead as planned as per his wishes.
“So brave, so tough," he said of Burrow. "I wish he could have seen the outpouring of love. I think we all lose special people, but it’s very, very rare you lose someone so special to so many different people.
Kevin Sinfield released a touching tribute to his close friend (PA)“As you can see it’s pretty raw still, he will leave a massive hole and I know there will be a lot of heartbroken people today. A lot of people from the MND community will be heartbroken this morning, but he cared about everybody.
"But what’s important is that Rob Burrow continues to live forever and our team and the MND community, and everyone who has supported us in the past will make sure Rob’s name is at the forefront of everything we do going forward.
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“To see what he has done in the last four and a half years, I was amazed at some of the things he did on a rugby field, but to see some of the things in the last four and a half years has been unbelievable.
"The respect and love and admiration I’ve got for him couldn’t be higher. The inspiration he’s given everyone in the United Kingdom who has been across this story, it will live in the memories forever."
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