Leeds Rhinos suffer huge blow

Leeds Rhinos have suffered a huge blow as they prepare for a run in towards the Grand Final hoping to replicate their form at the end of the 2022 season when they defied the odds to reach Old Trafford.

Though they have been boosted by the return of Harry Newman ahead of Sunday’s game against Warrington Wolves, the Rhinos have confirmed that Justin Sangare’s season is over.

When asked for an update on the French forward, Smith stated in his presser that his season is over.

He said: “Yeah his season’s done.”

Sangare has suffered a torn muscle in his foot from the game against Leigh Leopards.

Leeds went into the game without Sam Walters. The Wigan Warriors bound prop was left out due to a leg injury as confirmed by the club when the team news was revealed on social media.

Leeds will be hoping Walters is back soon to lessen the blow of losing one of their key forwards and perhaps their most impactful off the bench.

“It was a good contest, tough physical game again we were there or there abouts,” Smith said of the defeat.

“We were beaten in a couple of critical moments defensively but overall I thought our defence was excellent against a very good attacking team.

“We had some position ourselves but we probably didn’t execute as well as we would have liked and didn’t find the main road.

“I thought the rest of the game we struggled to get a roll on in the rest of the game.”

Smith did reveal that some of his squad struggled going into the game:

“It was a good, hard and physical game and we had a lot of young kids playing in that game today that will be helped by a game like this. It will help them.

“But I can’t fault the effort from our guys today for sure. There were three or four players who were severely under the weather going into that game and they dug in and never hesitated and there were plenty of young kids so there was plenty to learn and plenty to be proud of.”

But in a big blow, the Rhinos have now lost prop Justin Sangare with a torn muscle in his foot.