Leeds Rhinos news: here's how long players will be out after injury toll from Bradford Bulls game confirmed
Leeds Rhinos’ injury toll from the win against Bradford Bulls last weekend has been revealed.
Four of Rhinos’ top-20 squad left the field hurt during last Saturday’s Cameron Smith testimonial game, which Leeds won 46-16. Though the news overall is not as bad as initially feared, one player is beginning a season-long layoff while another will miss the opening weeks of the campaign.
The most serious casualty was 21-year-old centre Max Simpson. Scans have confirmed he suffered anterior cruciate ligament (acl) damage and won’t play again this year. Simpson signed a three-year contract extension last month, keeping him at Leeds until the end of 2029 and was promoted to number 18 on the squad list. He returned last season after three years out of action with a similar injury to his other knee.
The game’s other major casualty was second-rower James McDonnell, who has an ankle syndesmosis which will rule him out for four to six weeks. McDonnell, who will join new NRL club Perth Bears in 2027, has been a near ever-present in the side since making his debut three years ago.
But fears captain Ash Handley could be facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines have been dismissed. Last weekend’s game was the centre’s comeback from surgery and he scored a brace of tries before leaving the field with a groin injury.
There were concerns that could be a recurrence of the previous problem, but scans have confirmed no serious damage and Handley is expected to be available for Betfred Super League round one trip to Leigh Leopards in 15 days’ time. He is unlikely to be risked in the Challenge Cup tie at Widnes Vikings, who play on a 4g pitch, on Saturday, February 7.
Winger Chris Hankinson suffered an “open nasal fracture” in the first half against Bulls which required treatment and stitches on the day. Rhinos say he will be available for the game at Leigh.
Of the players who didn’t feature last weekend, winger Maika Sivo - who has been sidelined since tearing an acl a year ago – is continuing his return to full fitness and “due to be available for selection in the opening rounds of the season”, according to the club. New front-row signing Jeremiah Mata’utia is poised for a return to training in the next few weeks after sustaining a minor knee injury in training.
Another prop, Keenan Palasia, returned to training this week following a similar issue and outside-back Alfie Edgell has undergone surgery on the quad injury he sustained in the Boxing Day game against Wakefield Trinity and is expected to be back on the field in 12 weeks’ time.