Leeds Rhinos dealt double injury boost with key man ‘good to go’

Leeds Rhinos coach Brad Arthur has revealed a double fitness boost ahead of Saturday’s home showdown with Warrington Wolves.

Arthur confirmed in-form full-back Lachie Miller has recovered from a calf muscle injury and is “good to go”, while the club’s longest-term casualty will also play on Saturday.

Miller didn’t come out for the second half of Rhinos’ 22-18 derby win against Wakefield Trinity two weeks ago after suffering damage to a calf muscle.

Rhinos, who led 22-6 at the break, lost their grip on the game without Miller, but, speaking at his weekly preview press conference today, Arthur said the decision to withdraw the Aussie has paid off.

“It’s credit to Adam [Megretton, head of strength and conditioning] and Ferg [David Ferguson, head-physio] to get him up and ready and also to take that tough decision at half-time,” Arthur stated.

“They put their foot down and said he needs to come off. As a coach you want to try and keep them out there as long as you can, but now, on reflection, we made the right decision. It’s credit to those guys for being forceful around what needed to happen.”

Leeds Rhinos head coach gives Max Simpson update

Rhinos’ reserves take on Warrington in a curtain-raiser tomorrow and Arthur confirmed 20-year-old centre Max Simpson will play in that, for the first time in more than two years.

Simpson made four Super League appearances in 2022, but has been sidelined since a pre-season anterior cruciate ligament injury in January, 2023.

“We’ll probably play him for half a game tomorrow, then we’ve got a short turnaround into another game the following week,” Arthur said.

“He has trained well and everyone’s excited for him just to get out on the field. We don’t really care how he plays, just get through that 40 minutes and walk off the field knowing he has got a game out.

“It has been a long time and it is credit to the kid. Everyone’s happy for him to get to this stage and to get out on the field.”

Simpson was one of Rhinos’ brightest prospects before his injury and was given a contract extension during the layoff.

Arthur added: “Everyone tells me how good he is and I’ve seen at training some glimpses of that.

“I am excited just to see him get out on the field. Expectations aren’t high from us at the moment, it is about getting through healthy.”