KRISNAN Inu doesn’t feature in the end of season Betfred Championship player of the season awards.
But prolific Inu’s importance to Leigh’s record-breaking year has been recognised by coach of the season contender, Adrian Lam.
While team mates John Asiata and Edwin Ipape go up against Halifax’s Joe Keyes and Tee Ritson of Barrow for the playing accolade, Inu finished the regular campaign as the division’s top points scorer-348- and leading goal kicker-130-both ahead of Featherstone’s Craig Hall.
His haul includes 22 tries, the same total as Nene Macdonald and two more than Ipape.
“I tried to get Krisnan to Wigan in the back half of last year because of the sharpshooter that he is,” revealed Lam, who features alongside Barrow’s Paul Crary and Simon Grix of Halifax for top coach.
“Four points becomes six and it hurt us in the (Grand) final. But it didn’t quite work out.”
“Since coming here he has been a leader of the group too. I am really pleased for him because he has worked hard on his game.”
Inu touched down twice and kicked 10 goals from 11 attempts in Leigh’s 64-6 victory over Batley last Sunday to mark the League Leaders’ Shield presentation in fine style.
“It’s been a great year so far and a lot of achievements accomplished,” added Lam. “But we understand the most important part is still to come.
“We were ruthless the way we played at times against Batley but I still think our best performance is to come.”
Inu, 35, who served three NRL clubs before moving to Super League with Catalans in 2015, said: “They boys were congratulating me in the sheds and I didn’t know what for. I thought it was for winning the Shield.
“At the start of the season I didn’t even think I would get the kicking; it wasn’t one of my goals.”
On his remarkable accuracy Inu added: “I practice a lot, especially when I was back home. It is engrained in me.
“I am not saying I can get them over with my eyes closed. But I can do my steps with my eyes closes. When you do it so much it becomes a habit.”
On Centurions’ success he added: “I didn’t realise how well we were going to go until the season unfolded. But as more players signed, everyone got along well and still do.
“You can talk to anyone about anything and feel comfortable. That’s been one of the keys to our success.”
On a possible switch to Wigan, Inu admitted: “It was close to happening.
“I wasn’t getting any game time at Salford and Wigan needed a goal kicker and another outside back with a bit of experience.
“In the end it fell through but things happen for a reason and here I am at Leigh.”
The Championship awards will be presented at Headingley on September 26 in a ceremony to be streamed live on the RFL’s Our League web and app.
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