Leeds Rhinos star opens up on lengthy injury lay-off amid imminent return

Leeds Rhinos hooker Andy Ackers is ready to return to the side after suffering the longest injury of his career to date.

The former Salford man has been on the sidelines since the middle of March, after he was helped from the field with a hamstring injury in the Rhinos’ Challenge Cup defeat to St Helens

Speaking to club media, the 31-year-old thanked the medical staff at AMT Headingley and said that he is progressing well on the road to recovery.

“It’s good to have my first session back on the field and be amongst the boys,” Ackers, who joined Leeds Rhinos ahead of the 2024 season, explained

“I’m still really ahead of schedule… it’s been a long 10 weeks, and I’ve given it my all in training.”

Andy Ackers ready for Leeds Rhinos’ return

Ackers featured in every game for Leeds this season before the injury, and said he was in the best shape possible coming into his second campaign with the Rhinos.

“It’s really frustrating, but once you understand and accept that it is just part and parcel of the game.

“It’s the longest injury I’ve ever had… I had a really good pre-season, and I was the fittest I’ve ever been so it’s about getting that fitness back up now to a 10 out of 10 and I feel like I’m nearly there.”

Ackers touched on the Rhinos key spine positions, and how the team seems to be coming together at the right time.

He explained: “Brodie [Croft] fitted straight back in last week, and Jake [Connor] does what he does, he has been phenomenal for however many weeks now.

“Lachie [Miller] has been a real diamond at the back and Jarrod [O’Connor] has been doing a really good job at nine as well.”

The Rhinos have had issues with consistency in the spine all season, playing with five different halves combinations in 11 Super League games.

O’Connor has deputised for Ackers in his absence, with Jack Sinfield also playing the nine role too.

Excluding Maika Sivo, who is out with a season-long ACL injury, the Rhinos are now back to full strength and have no injury concerns. It will be interesting to see who makes it into a fully fit Brad Arthur side.