Joe Greenwood exits Leeds Rhinos after frustrating loan spell

FRUSTRATION: Second-row Joe Greenwood 
endured a frustrating loan spell with Leeds Rhinos. 
Picture: Bruce RollinsonFRUSTRATION: Second-row Joe Greenwood 
endured a frustrating loan spell with Leeds Rhinos. 
Picture: Bruce Rollinson
FRUSTRATION: Second-row Joe Greenwood endured a frustrating loan spell with Leeds Rhinos. Picture: Bruce Rollinson | JPIMedia
IT IS rare for a player to complete a loan spell without playing a single game but these are, of course, unusual times.

England second-row Joe Greenwood found himself in that bizarre situation yesterday when it was confirmed his temporary deal with Leeds Rhinos had come to an end without him ever stepping on the pitch.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He joined from Wigan Warriors on a two-month loan switch in February but initially could not force his way into Richard Agar’s matchday 17 and then saw the sport shutdown in mid-March due to the coronavirus.

Ironically, Greenwood was due to debut against Catalans Dragons in Perpignan only to become the initially unnamed player who showed symptoms of Covid-19 on the eve of the game leading to it being postponed.

Leeds Rhinos coach, Richard Agar. Picture: Simon HulmeLeeds Rhinos coach, Richard Agar. Picture: Simon Hulme
Leeds Rhinos coach, Richard Agar. Picture: Simon Hulme | JPIMedia Ltd Resell

Admittedly, the former St Helens and Gold Coast Titans forward’s test did come back negative but it highlights the sort of rotten luck the 27-year-old has encountered during his brief ‘stay’ at Emerald Headingley.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With players furloughed and taking pay cuts plus no sign of games imminently resuming, it is understandable why Rhinos have opted against extending his stay.

“Firstly, I would like to wish Joe all the best for the remainder of the season with Wigan,” said Leeds director of rugby Kevin Sinfield.

“He has been the ultimate professional throughout his time at the Rhinos especially during an unprecedented period of change.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“He has been a popular member of our group. Unfortunately, things have not worked out and we have had to make a financial decision while we are on lockdown.

“However, he leaves with our very best wishes.”

Meanwhile, Dewsbury Rams chairman Mark Sawyer says rugby league must be prepared for “at least 12 very, very difficult months.”

Like all clubs, the Championship outfit are trying to cut their cloth accordingly as the pandemic goes on.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

They have taken comfort from the RFL’s success in securing an emergency £16m loan from the Government.

Sawyer said: “I think all clubs will apply for it as it’s going to be a serious task just keeping the show on the road. There’s a lot of expenses. At Dewsbury, we had many income streams on site at our stadium such as all-weather pitches, the Sunday market, HGV training, motorbike training and all sorts but everything just finished overnight.

“It was very difficult and it’s also difficult to identify any income streams that are going to be unaffected moving forward.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It’s going to be at least 12 very, very difficult months. But, at the same time, there is some money there now to offer as cash flow to clubs to keep them ticking over. It’s much needed.”

Editor’s note: First and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

Almost certainly you are here because you value the quality and the integrity of the journalism produced by The Yorkshire Post’s journalists - almost all of which live alongside you in Yorkshire, spending the wages they earn with Yorkshire businesses - who last year took this title to the industry watchdog’s Most Trusted Newspaper in Britain accolade.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And that is why I must make an urgent request of you: as advertising revenue declines, your support becomes evermore crucial to the maintenance of the journalistic standards expected of The Yorkshire Post. If you can, safely, please buy a paper or take up a subscription. We want to continue to make you proud of Yorkshire’s National Newspaper but we are going to need your help.

Postal subscription copies can be ordered by calling 0330 4030066 or by emailing [email protected]. Vouchers, to be exchanged at retail sales outlets - our newsagents need you, too - can be subscribed to by contacting subscriptions on 0330 1235950 or by visiting www.localsubsplus.co.uk where you should select The Yorkshire Post from the list of titles available.

If you want to help right now, download our tablet app from the App / Play Stores. Every contribution you make helps to provide this county with the best regional journalism in the country.

Sincerely. Thank you. James Mitchinson, Editor

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.