Leeds Rhinos head coach Rohan Smith has confirmed new recruit Nene Macdonald will not be fit for the start of the season. The close-season signing from Leigh Leopards was sidelined after suffering a quad muscle injury playing for Papua New Guinea against England in the World Cup quarter-final three months ago.
At Christmas, Smith rated him “touch and go” to face Warrington Wolves in Rhinos’ season opener next Thursday, but has now admitted he will not be ready.
“I think the last ten or twelve times somebody has asked me where Nene is at I've said he won't play round one,” said Smith. “To me it's almost never been touch and go, maybe initially but it's one of those injuries where most surgeons or specialists or great physios will say ten to twelve or twelve to fourteen [weeks].
