Leeds Rhinos star Aidan Sezer ruled out of Grand Final

Leeds Rhinos may well have put the Wigan Warriors to the sword in a magnificent 20-8 win, but there was one negative for Rohan Smith’s men.

That was because Leeds Rhinos star Aidan Sezer has been ruled out of the Super League Grand Final.

Sezer was the victim of a horrendous high shot from John Bateman who saw red after referee Liam Moore was left with no choice but to send off the Wigan man.

Bateman appeared to knock out cold Sezer with the former acknowledging his mistake straightaway, helping to cradle the Leeds man’s head and neck after the heavy collision.

Sezer left the field for a head injury assessment but didn’t return to the pitch after failing it. That also means that the Australian halfback will not be able to play next week given the 11-day protocol for concussions that was brought in at the start of the season.

Credit to the Rhinos, they were peppered in the first-half under constant strain from the Warriors, but they cracked just once in those opening 40 minutes after Liam Marshall finished expertly in the corner.

With the Rhinos’ first attack of the night, Blake Austin was caught high by Patrick Mago, allowing Zak Hardaker to slot over a penalty goal to reduce the deficit to just two points against the run of play at 4-2.

Leeds turned up the pressure in the second-half with a double from James Bentley and another try from Jarrod O’Connor sending the Rhinos into a 20-4 lead before Sam Powell grabbed one back.

But, it was too late as Leeds confirmed their Grand Final place, but they will have to do so without talismanic Sezer.