Peacock set to play on after death of father

LEEDS Rhinos coach Brian McDermott has hailed the competitive streak of Jamie Peacock as he prepares to help the champions battle towards Old Trafford once more just a week after the death of his father.
Jamie PeacockJamie Peacock
Jamie Peacock

Darryl Peacock passed away last Friday following a long battle with cancer and just 24 hours after his son had produced a remarkable display in Leeds’s victory at Wigan Warriors.

They start their play-offs campaign at Warrington Wolves tomorrow with a rematch of last season’s Grand Final and the ex-England captain has vowed to play despite it being a difficult time for him and his family.

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McDermott said: “JP’s got to go through what he has to go through this week.

“A bereavement in the family is a big thing and he’ll do the right thing by them.

“But what JP is also is an immensely committed man to Leeds Rhinos. He’s already stated he’s ready to play.

“That’s just a mark of the man. He’s incredibly competitive and I’m sure his dad Darryl would have said ‘Get that shirt back on son and get out there and play’.”

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The veteran prop has been in towering form, his display at Wigan possibly his greatest performance yet in a year frequented with incredible showings of strength.

Peacock was named in the Super League Dream Team for a record ninth time this week and also won Leeds’s player-of-the-year as he defies the odds with his insatiable appetite for high-quality graft in the middle.

“Firstly, what an incredible athlete he is to be able to do that and be still at the top of his game at the age of 35,” said McDermott.

“But also it reminds me the way we train now is so much smarter. Flogging players within an inch of their lives during the week was all well and good. It made everyone drive home after work thinking we’d had a good day’s training but it probably wasn’t the right thing to do for the weekend.

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“These fellas do train hard but smart, too, and JP’s preparation and professionalism off the field is probably key.”

Fellow Leeds prop Ryan Bailey returns from a one-game ban tomorrow to replace Alex Foster while Warrington are similarly at strength, Joel Monaghan (back) and Ben Harrison (hip) fit again after missing last week’s win in Perpignan.