Leeds Rhinos lose Lachie Miller for play-offs as Brad Arthur opts for experienced replacement
Leeds Rhinos' worst fears have been realised after losing star full-back Lachie Miller for the Super League play-offs.
The influential Australian was forced off with hamstring damage in the early stages of the heavy defeat to Wigan Warriors in last week's League Leaders' Shield decider.
The costly result has now been compounded by the news that he will play no further part this year.
Miller has been a standout performer for Brad Arthur's side, providing 18 assists and making more tackle busts than any other player in the competition.
"He's going to avoid surgery, which is positive," said Arthur. "But he's looking at 10 to 12 weeks.
"It's at the higher end of the scale but it's not the highest because the next step would have been surgery.
"It’s disappointing for his team-mates and the team but I always put the player first. It's really disappointing for him because he's worked hard on things and done everything we've asked him to do.
"He was playing with a fractured eye socket going into the game. The plan was to get him through the Wigan game and the physios had a place saved for this Monday to have an operation if it got any worse.
"But it's not to be and everyone else has got to step up around him."
Arthur originally intimated that rookie full-back Fergie McCormack would be drafted in to replace Miller, starting against Hull FC in the final round of the regular season on Friday.
However, the Rhinos boss will instead turn to captain Ash Handley, who last performed the role in 2023.
"What it does is it enables us to play the backline we want to put out in the semi-final," said Arthur, who welcomes back Maika Sivo and Keenan Palasia this week but has given James McDonnell longer to recover from his pectoral injury.
"We need to back the decision. I've consulted with the senior players and they're happy with that and think it's the best for the team we have available.
"Ash is comfortable doing the job. There might be some teething problems but we've got a full 21-day window to get it right (before the semi-finals).
"It's not a reflection of young Fergus because he could have done the job. This is about getting all of our best players out there. Young Fergus has only had three games and we're going to need that big-game experience in the finals.
"He's a really good kid and understood it and accepted it. If it was round 20 and we had seven games to get him ready, maybe. But the only thing that matters right now is winning."