Double blow for Leeds as key men ruled out of Grand Final

LEEDS RHINOS have been dealt a devastating double blow after Aidan Sezer and Morgan Gannon were ruled out of Saturday’s Grand Final against St Helens with concussion.

Key playmaker Sezer was forced off with a head injury after being poleaxed by England forward John Bateman during Friday’s play-off semi-final win at Wigan Warriors. Bateman was shown a straight red card and is set to earn a ban which would rule him out of at least part of England’s World Cup campaign. Leeds coach Rohan Smith yesterday confirmed Sezer had failed his Head Injury Assessment and would miss the title decider. Highly-rated back-rower Gannon, 18, will also be out as he is still experiencing symptoms from a heavy concussion sustained in the win at Catalans the week before. Smith said: ‘Aidan is shattered. He feels healthy but is clearly disappointed to be missing out. ‘Morgan won’t be playing either. We won’t accelerate any return to play given he’s an 18-year-old boy and this was his second head knock of the season. Looking after young players is something I feel very strongly about.’

Leeds’ star centre Harry Newman, 22, will also miss the Grand Final and World Cup after suffering a setback in his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury.