Leeds Rhinos will be without a pivotal player for next Sunday’s derby with Castleford Tigers and another could be facing a long layoff.
Rhinos’ 32-6 win at Salford Red Devils on Saturday came at a cost with loose-forward Cameron Smith and stand-off Brodie Croft both picking up injuries in the first half.
Play was stopped for 12 minutes as Croft was treated on the field following an accidental clash of heads with Jack Ormondroyd. Salford’s Joe Shorrocks was sin-binned for his part in the incident.
Smith limped off moments earlier and was on crutches, with a foot in a protective boot, after the match.
The loss of Smith and Croft meant scrum-half Matty Frawley returned to the field after having eight stitches in a badly cut hand.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Leeds coach Brad Arthur said: “Crofty is in good spirits, which is great.
“He will have to miss a week, minimum, with the protocols. His health is our priority, but he seems in a good head space. Touch wood, I think he’s okay.”
But Arthur added: “Cam is not optimistic about his injury. It’s his ankle, he got some weight on the back of it. He said he heard a pop or a crack. It is pretty swollen.”
It’s unlikely Frawley would have returned if Leeds Rhinos hadn’t lost Smith and Croft. Arthur said: “Frawls has had stitches in his hand, but he’s a tough nut.
“He’ll have to manage that. It was a pretty bad gash. Ordinarily we probably should have [kept him off], but he’s tough, he wanted to play and be out there with his mates. It’s not life-threatening, it’s only a hand, but he has still got to catch the ball. He did a pretty good job for us.”
It is a comprehensive win for the Rhinos as they secure the victory against Salford
Salford Red Devils 6 – 32 Rhinos
🤝 In partnership #Anchor #ButtertheFoodButtertheMood pic.twitter.com/MECiyMlAeM— Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) February 22, 2025
