After suffering knee damage minutes after coming off the bench against Wakefield Trinity on Boxing Day, Jarrod O’Connor will miss the start of the season, according to sporting director Ian Blease.
The Rhinos’ first competitive game will be an away Betfred Challenge Cup match against lower league opponents on February 8/9. On Saturday, February 15, they will host Wakefield in Super League round one.
On Sunday, January 26, they will host Wigan Warriors in Ash Handley’s testimonial game.
O’Connor has been ever-present for the past two seasons and Leeds’ last game without him was a 20-20 home draw with Huddersfield Giants on April 14, 2022.
The 23-year-old, who can also play at loose-forward, is one of two hookers in Rhinos’ full-time squad, alongside Andy Ackers.
O’Connor is the second player ruled out of round one with a pre-season injury, after back-up full-back Alfie Edgell who sustained a fractured jaw in training the week before Christmas.
The 20-year-old underwent surgery and is “recovering well”, Blease reported. “It is good news, his examination and x-rays have gone really well,” he said. “It is just a case of monitoring him now.”
Forward Cooper Jenkins is still hampered by a dead leg suffered on Boxing Day, but Rhinos are confident he will be available for the start of the new campaign. First-choice full-back Lachie Miller didn’t play at Christmas after damaging a hamstring in the off-season.
Blease emphasized that he won’t be hurried, but he hopes to play against Wakefield. “He is back training,” he stated. “We reined it in with him for a while, and now we’re going to ramp it up again.” You just have to wait and see in this situation.
He is one of those athletes who bounces back quickly, but you need to use caution. You run the risk of making things worse if you push him back too soon.
Jake Connor, a former England player, is Leeds’ ready-made successor despite the unfortunate injuries to both specialist full-backs.
After scoring two tries from the full-back position on Boxing Day, the preseason acquisition from the Huddersfield Giants was named man of the match.
According to Handley’s testimonial, he is set to get another chance at full-back after impressing with his ball-handling skills during training.
In the meanwhile, Leeds Rhinos 2024 members who wish to renew their season ticket have until today to do so. Unsold spots will be made available to waiting list members after midnight before putting up for general sale. At the same time, the early bird window closes, and membership costs will increase starting tomorrow.
