Boss Brad Arthur has revealed details of Leeds Rhinos’ latest injury setbacks – and insisted they won’t wreck his side’s Old Trafford chances.
Speaking at his preview press conference this morning (Wednesday), Arthur confirmed both captain Ash Handley and centre Jack Bird will miss Friday’s Betfred Super League semi-final at home to Warrington Wolves.
Handley, who was due to play at full-back, has a back issue and Bird is ruled out with a hamstring problem.
They join first-choice full-back Lachie Miller (hamstring) and hooker Danny Levi (neck) on the long-term casualty list.
A reshuffle will see rookie Fergus McCormack come in at number one for his fifth senior game, while his brother Ned McCormack and Chris Hankinson, who has been playing in the second-row, could feature at centre.
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Leeds Rhinos boss lifts lid on injury issues
The new injuries developed last week, when Rhinos didn’t have a game and Arthur explained: “Birdy last week had a bit of a hamstring complaint so he won’t be right this week. It is a week-to-week proposition at the moment.
“Ash has just come up with a bit of a disc bulge which is sending some neural pain down to his legs so he won’t be available. Again it is a week-to-week proposition.”
Arthur described the subsequent reshuffle as “not the best case scenario, but certainly not an excuse or reason why we can’t get the job done”.
He stressed: “I like these sort of situations, it brings the best out of you and shows your character.
“You get that hardened mentality and go after it. What have we got to lose? We’ve got everything to gain.
“These young guys have got an opportunity on a big stage to go and own it. We are backing them – we are right behind them and the team’s right behind them.”
He added: “Every time you get an injury it’s a blow, it doesn’t matter who it is, but some of the best decisions I’ve made as a coach have been ones I’ve been forced into.
“I am looking forward to young Fergus playing at full-back. He has trained really well since last Monday/Tuesday.
“We’ve had four sessions and he looks a lot more comfortable and a lot more at ease from his three [Super League] games he had with us.
“He has worked on some things and looks a lot more like he believes he belongs so we are backing him and we’re really happy he gets a chance.”
Of the centre role, Arthur stated: “Ned has done a fair bit of training there during the week because we’ve had a few numbers down, but we’ve got a couple of options.
“Chris Hankinson is in consideration, we’ve had him off-feet for a couple of days so he will do a bit there today and he’s all good.”
