Leeds' Nathaniel Peteru a doubt for World Club Challenge after tearing bicep on debut
Monday 5 February 2018 17:01, UK
Leeds' new signing Nathaniel Peteru tore a bicep on his Super League debut, coach Brian McDermott has revealed.
The 26-year-old former Gold Coast Titans prop, who joined the Rhinos on a three-year contract in the winter, went on as a substitute in their opening 16-12 win at Warrington last Thursday but is now facing a spell on the sidelines.
The New Zealander will definitely miss Thursday's home game against Hull KR, which is being played at Elland Road while reconstruction work continues at Headingley, and is a major doubt for the World Club Challenge clash with Melbourne at AAMI Park on Friday week.
"He came off with a busted bicep," McDermott told a news conference at Elland Road. "We're having it checked out to see the extent of that.
"He won't play on Thursday. If the surgeon says he can carry on without have it operated on, he'll probably still have two or three weeks off to let it settle down.
"If he has to have it operated on, it will be 12 weeks out."
The champions fly out to Melbourne on Friday and McDermott says Peteru may yet make the trip.
"It's unlikely but I wouldn't rule him out. We'd take a maybe with us," he added.
The good news for the Rhinos is that second rower Stevie Ward is set to make his comeback from shoulder surgery on Thursday and there are hopes that prop Mitch Garbutt could take the place of Peteru after missing the opening game with a damaged quad.
Ward underwent surgery three days after helping his team win the Grand Final and resumed full training just over a week ago.
"He's got to get through a last couple of checks but, all being well, he will play," McDermott said.
Despite being denied home advantage, McDermott is delighted his side get the chance to play at Elland Road, where the club are expecting a crowd of around16,000.
"To play at a stadium like this is pretty special for us," he said. "It gives us that big-game feeling before next week as well."
