Brian McClennan revealed that Luke Burgess sustained a broken jaw during Leeds' 38-6 win over Castleford.
Both coaches refuse to blame prop Walker for his part in injury
Leeds coach Brian McClennan revealed that Luke Burgess sustained a broken jaw during the 38-6 win over Castleford.
The 23-year-old was carried off on a stretcher after being hit by a shoulder charge by Tigers prop Jonathan Walker in the closing minutes of the contest.
Burgess' injury came not long after the Rhinos had seen influential skipper Jamie Peacock limp off the field with a knee problem.
The double blow - coming with the Carnegie Challenge Cup final against Warrington just a fortnight away - soured an otherwise excellent night for the reigning champions, who ran in seven tries to run out comfortable winners.
Devastated
"Luke Burgess has been rushed to hospital with a suspected broken jaw," McClennan said, with a double-break later confirmed.
"We are all feeling devastated for 'Biffa' because we have got some big games coming up and he's been working really hard."
McClennan refused to point the finger at Walker, and said: "It was a shoulder charge. That's the outcome when two young blokes collide at such speed."
On Peacock's status, he added: "He got a knock to the knee but we think he's going to be okay. We'll assess it on Monday and scan it then if we need to."
The Rhinos boss could at least raise a smile over his side's defensive efforts, as they came close to shutting out the Tigers in front of the Sky Sports cameras.
"Everyone was prepared to work realy hard for each other," he said. "You've got to do that at Castleford because they can put tries on you.
"But I thought we defended pretty well and that's the kind of attitude we need. It's time for us to step up and I thought we took a step in the right direction."
Like his opposite number, Castleford coach Terry Matterson also absolved Walker of any blame following his hit on Burgess.
"Jonathan has got a shoulder charge on him, although there was certainly no malice in it," he said.
"But I feel for Luke Burgess because it's going to cost him a Wembley appearance. The result sort of pales into all significance after that."
Outstanding
Matterson conceded that the Rhinos had simply been too strong for his side, admitting: "They were too good for us tonight.
"We didn't throw a hell of a lot at them but I take my hat off to Leeds because they were outstanding. We weren't great but they were really good."
However the Australian insists his side can still make the play-offs with two rounds of the regular season still remaining.
He added: "It all comes down to Harlequins at home next Sunday for us if we are going to make the play-offs."
