Rohan Smith reveals two Leeds Rhinos men will play against Castleford Tigers following ‘other circumstances’

Leeds Rhinos have done it tough in 2022 with injuries and suspensions.

The likes of Kruise Leeming, Liam Sutcliffe and Harry Newman have missed big chunks of the 2022 Super League season through injury, but sometimes other life matters can get in the way.

That is what happened to both Ash Handley and Aidan Sezer who missed the trip to the Catalans Dragons after what Rohan Smith described as ‘other circumstances’.

Winger Handley missed the trip due to possibly missing the birth of his child, but Smith has revealed that the pair will be back for this weekend’s crunch clash with the Castleford Tigers.

“Ash Handley and Aidan Sezer will be back, they missed through other circumstances (against Catalans) and both will be back and that’s possibly about it,” Smith admitted.

“Ash has been a mainstay in the team all year and he’s showed good leadership whilst Aidan has started to get a bit of form and rhythm.

“He is an experienced guy and he knows how to play. He will be back.”

Among those missing, however, will be Blake Austin after he picked up a knock in the win over the Huddersfield Giants whilst there will also be one star winger absent.

“Blake picked up a knock in the warm up and he battled through the game but pulled up quite stiff.

“He’s got an internal or external rotator injury in his hip. It’s not a common injury but hopefully the longer our season goes the more chance he will be back.

“David Fusitu’a won’t be available this week, and he would probably be out for the week after if we get through.”

If Leeds win on Saturday against the Tigers, they will reach the Super League play-offs, lose and they are out – the same story is true for Castleford too.