The son of a four-time Grand Final winner has been called up after a serious injury forced Leeds Rhinos coach Brad Arthur to reshuffle his Boxing Day lineup.
Teenager Joe Diskin, the son of legendary Leeds Rhinos’ hooker Matt, replaces Alfie Edgell in Rhinos’ 25-man squad for the Wetherby Whaler Festive Challenge derby against Wakefield Trinity.
Full-back Edgell underwent surgery on Saturday, the day after suffering a fractured jaw in a training accident that was labelled as ‘freakish’ by Sporting Director Ian Blease.
Diskin, who will be among the substitutes, moved up from Rhinos’ scholarship into their academy ahead of the 2024 season and has trained regularly with the first team.
The Dewsbury Moor product was originally a full-back, but converted to hooker – his father Matt’s position – this year.
Matt Diskin won four Grand Finals with Rhinos and was man of the match when they beat Bradford Bulls to be crowned Super League champions for the first time 20 years ago.
With first-choice full-back Lachie Miller also on the casualty list as he recovers from a hamstring injury, new signing Jake Connor will start in the number one role on Thursday – after initially being named at centre – and Harry Newman steps up from the bench into the three-quarters.
Get well soon to Alfie Edgell from everyone at the Rhinos after the young full back suffered a fracture to his jaw after an collision in training.
— Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) December 23, 2024
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