McClennan - we'll overcome injury run

Thursday 18th March 2010

Leeds Rhinos head coach Brian McClennan has spoken of the injury problems which are currently blighting the defending engage Super League champions.

Earlier this week, the Rhinos announced that young three-quarter Kallum Watkins was ruled out for the season after being forced to undergo knee surgery to deal with a major injury.

Prior to that they had Carl Ablett (ankle), Scott Donald (shoulder) and Greg Eastwood (wrist) on the long term injured list and captain Kevin Sinfield had missed the last two games with a dead leg.

And McClennan - while revealing the Rhinos determination to get through the crisis - has explained that major injuries are a challenge that is part and parcel of top-flight Rugby League.

"Such is the nature of Super League and the fact that the game keeps advancing and physically the players are getting stronger and faster. The collisions are mind-blowing. The courage of rugby league players is at the highest level", he said.

"With the salary cap you can only have a finite number of players in your squad. Whilst we are exploring all avenues to get us through this period of injuries that that has to be done within the confines of the salary cap.

"Tom Bush showed in our recent win over Quins that we have quality individuals within our academy ranks and perhaps this will be an opportunity for one or two of them to show their potential", added the former Kiwi coach.

"Every team will suffer injuries during the course of a season unfortunately ours seem to have come together. However, that presents us with a challenge and something to overcome and that is exactly what we are aiming to do".