Leeds Rhinos: McGuire loss will drive team on - McDermott UPDATED

Leeds Rhinos players have an added motivation to win a first Challenge Cup final in 13 years after playmaker Danny McGuire was ruled out of the Wembley showpiece.

The 29-year-old was this morning (August 14) told he will be out for up to eight weeks with a knee injury suffered in Friday’s win over Widnes.

As a result, he will sit out his side’s date with Warrington a week on Saturday and could also be a doubt for the end-of-season play-off campaign.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Leeds head to the final chasing a first win in six appearances to have followed their 1999 victory over London, motivated by the need to add a Challenge Cup success to their five Super League titles.

And now, according to coach Brian McDermott, the need to win it for McGuire is also driving them on.

“There’s that angle to take. While it won’t be in their minds all the time, there’ll be nothing better than handing him a medal at the end of it and taking photos with his brace on and the trophy,” he said.

“That’s what you think about if you get the job done. They got on really well the players, they’re a good and tight group and they will all have him as a form of motivation.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

McGuire, who is Super League’s joint-top all-time tryscorer, has been a pivotal player for the Rhinos this season, scoring 20 tries in 23 appearances.

His form has helped them shed the inconsistencies that dogged the early days of their title defence and with that in mind, his loss will be felt all the more.

“It’s big, he was going to have a good go. He was in the right frame of mind. We’ve been through a process and he was a part of that. It’s tragic. I bet he’s feeling wretched. I can’t tell you how he’s feeling, but I can imagine,” McDermott added.

“It’s a big thing for him, it’s been bad news. I can only imagine what it’s like to have a Challenge Cup final appearance snatched from him.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Everyone has rallied around him and spoken to him, but he’s a professional, he’s got it covered and he knows how to deal with it. He’ll deal with it in the right way, but it sure as hell hurts.”

With the Grand Final quickly approaching on October 6, doubts exist over whether or not McGuire will be able to play any part in another title tilt.

McDermott is hopeful, though, that with a quick recovery, he will be able to call on the England international again in 2012.

“We’ve got four weekends of the regular season left and we’ve been told it’s a six-to-eight week injury,” he said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“If our physios can weave their magic, it could be a five-to-seven week injury and he could be back for the play-offs.

“Either way, he’ll be in and around the squad. He’s got a few miles on the clock and he knows what it takes to appear in these big games and play well. He would have had an influence anyway, but we need him a bit more than we normally would.”

McDermott also confirmed that veteran prop Jamie Peacock will return for this weekend’s game against Catalan in Perpignan, having rested the former England captain for the Widnes game.