Rhinos' injuries open door for others to shine
However, head coach Brian McDermott remains confident that whoever steps in for the game against NRL champions North Queensland Cowboys – and three players who have not featured yet this year could get a shot – they will be good enough to handle the occasion.
As the likes of Australia great Johnathan Thurston, the Cowboys captain and current Golden Boot holder as the world’s best player, arrived for yesterday’s World Club Series launch, all anyone wanted to ask McDermott about was his injury latest after their calamitous loss at Widnes Vikings.
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Hide AdNot only did the reigning Super League champions succumb 56-12 but they also lost two England internationals – Carl Ablett and Tom Briscoe (both ankle) – plus young full-back Ashton Golding (foot) to injuries.
Given the West Yorkshire club are already without captain Danny McGuire plus hooker Beau Falloon and second-rows Stevie Ward and Jamie Jones-Buchanan for Sunday’s Headingley date, you can understand concerns that the World Club Challenge could become distinctly one-sided.