New Leeds Rhinos signing shares injury horror at nearly breaking his back

Leeds Rhinos have recruited well for the 2022 Super League season with David Fusitu’a, Blake Austin, Aidan Sezer and James Bentley all joining the club.

But, for one of those new recruits, the 2021 season almost ended horribly after he was on the receiving end of a crusher tackle.

That man, of course, was Bentley who was the recipient of a Sam Kasiano crusher tackle which may well have ended his career.

“It was a bit of a weird one, I got that crusher tackle off Sam Kasiano – it was a bit sore and I tried to play on but I couldn’t as it was killing me and I had to come off,” Bentley told BBC Radio Leeds.

“I got the scans and it was a bit scary when I found about it, the specialist said he’d never sen someone rupture this ligament and not break their back so I was a bit taken aback at the time.”

Bentley, who missed the 2021 Grand Final with former side St Helens, is however on the mend.

“Thankfully I’ve had it cleared and I’m slowly returning to contact – I can’t wait to get out there and start playing.

“I was gutted that I missed the Grand Final but I’m just looking forward to getting back out on the field.

“If I did play with it the injury could have been catastrophic with potential spinal cord damage.”