Two changes have been confirmed in Leeds Rhinos’ 17 for Saturday’s trip to Salford Red Devils.
Coach Brad Arthur revealed Australian signing Cooper Jenkins will make his Super League debut in place of concussed prop Mikolaj Oledzki and hooker/loose-forward Jarrod O’Connor is set to return from injury.
Jenkins, signed from Norths Devils, featured in the Challenge Cup win over Wests Warriors two weeks ago, but was 18th man against Wakefield.
Speaking at his weekly preview press conference today, the Leeds Rhinos boss said: “It gives an opportunity to Cooper now. He will start.
“He missed out last week so it gives him his chance. He didn’t come over here not to play so it is an opportunity to try to cement a spot.”
Jenkins hasn’t played in the Southern Hemisphere NRL, but had an outstanding season for Norths last year when they won the Queensland Cup.
Arthur confirmed he will play around 20 minutes at the start of the game and get a second stint after the interval.
“He has got a good, strong carry,” the coach said. “He is physical, he had a bit of a disjointed pre-season with an injury and then a head knock so he has been in and out a little bit.
“We don’t want to put too much pressure on him, but [we want him to] be hard to handle when he carries the ball and aggressive with his line speed and work hard.
“If he can do that and earn the right for us to play a bit of football, that’ll be good enough for his first hit-out.”
Oledzki failed a head injury assessment during last week’s defeat by Wakefield Trinity, but will be back to face Castleford Tigers next weekend.
Arthur said: “He is going through the protocols. We have just come off the field now and he’s out there running.
“He is ticking the boxes as we go, but he will be good for next week. He has recovered pretty well. Ferg [physio David Ferguson] did a really good job to stop the game, get out there and put Mik’s safety at the forefront. Everything has been positive.”
O’Connor missed Rhinos’ two competitive games so far because of knee damage suffered against Wakefield on Boxing Day, but has now been given the all-clear.
New signing Ethan Clark-Wood is in Rhinos’ initial squad, but was due to make his first appearance for the club in a pre-season reserves fixture against Hull at Stanningley this afternoon.
“We’ve got a hit out for our guys who aren’t in the team so we’ll get a good close look at him then,” Arthur added.
Leeds Rhinos Head Coach Brad Arthur has named his squad to travel to Salford Red Devils in Round 2 of the Betfred Super League.
Find out more here ➡️ https://t.co/IQbHYkgyW2 pic.twitter.com/A66wHJPphy— Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) February 20, 2025
