An injury update has been provided on Leeds Rhinos talisman Jake Connor after he picked up a knock during Friday’s 34-8 win against Hull KR.
Connor, the reigning Man of Steel, inspired Leeds to a league double over the 2025 champions, scoring one try, assisting in four others and kicking seven goals from as many attempts.
There was a scare for table-topping Rhinos when Connor was replaced following the final try, after undergoing treatment on the field. Teenager George Brown is on Rhinos’ long-term casualty list leaving Brodie Croft as the only other specialist half in their full-time squad, but coach Brad Arthur is confident Connor will be fit for next Sunday’s Magic Weekend derby against Bradford Bulls.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Arthur joked Connor “wanted an early bath” and insisted: “He got whacked a little bit, he was fine.”
The coach said Leeds picked up several “bumps and bruises” in what was a physical encounter played in sapping heat, but there were no other major injury concerns.
However, forward Presley Cassell, who had played in Rhinos’ previous three games, is being assessed after suffering a knee injury in the reserves’ loss to Wigan Warriors.
Reflecting on Leeds’ fourth successive win against Hull KR, which lifted them six points clear of the defending champions, Arthur said: “In collision, we really dominated.
“They got stuck into us and we withstood it and pushed through the other side. We did a couple of dumb things here and there, but it makes us exciting to watch and hard to defend against, so I have to live with a little bit of it.
“I still think there’s plenty left to improve and that was a bit of the discussion at the end of the game, but we’ve got to be happy with a nice strong win against a very good team.”
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