'We have to set an example' - Leeds Rhinos captain backs stay at home plea

The country is in its third week of lockdown, with the public told not to venture out other than for essential supplies, medical reasons or an hour’s exercise per day.

The government hopes restrictions will slow the spread of Covid-19 and ease pressure on the NHS, which is something Ward feels strongly about.

“It’s important everyone sticks to the guidelines,” the Rhinos captain insisted.

“I know that first-hand from my sister, Rachael. She is a doctor down in Kingston, London.

“She is looking after people with coronavirus so she’s been getting across to me the gravity of the situation.”

London has been a hot spot for the illness, but the number of cases in Leeds is increasing.

Ward reported: “In Kingston she says it’s just out of what they call the centre, but she has got her own ward she’s looking after and she’s been telling me how people are struggling with it down there.

“She is around people who have died of it.

“It has all come out of the blue, everyone’s learning about the best way to navigate it and it’s important the messages keep getting out there.”

Super League players are in the public eye and Ward reckons they can play their part - as well as trying to keep fans’ spirits up during the crisis.

Ward runs the successful Mantality podcast and teammates Adam Cuthbertson and Brad Dwyer are also branching into online entertainment during the lockdown

Ward said: “All the lads know we have got to set an example and on social media we’ve been trying to do stuff that’s entertaining for people.

“We are entertainers and some of the lads have been taking that quite literally with some of the stuff they have been doing.”

Gatherings of more than two people having been banned so Rhinos have suspended training and the players and most club staff have been placed on furlough.

The team were on a four-game winning run - their best for three years - when the sport was halted and Ward admitted: “It is a really weird time, but we are all keeping in touch through social media and checking on each other.

“It has been tough because we were going well as a team, the boys were getting on well and it’s just come to a halt.

“It’s one of those circumstances that is completely out of our control.

“A lot of the lads are frustrated because we were going well and you want to come into work and see each other.

“It is just something we have got to ride out and hopefully we’ll get back together soon and crack on.

“There’s a lot of stuff going on to keep us motivated and interested.

“We all know we have to keep fit and on our toes for when the call comes.”

Wage cuts are likely as clubs feel the pinch of going weeks without income.

It also seems inevitable, with a month of the season already lost, there will be midweek matches once the competition does resume.

Ward said players are still waiting for details, but stressed: “As a team we want everything to carry on and we want rugby league to function.

“We’ll be looking at what we can do. We don’t know the facts yet, but it’s about what’s best for everyone.”

Rugby league’s shutdown is expected to continue for at least another month and Ward is hoping to be available for selection when the season eventually resumes.

The 26-year-old forward has not played since the 30-4 home loss to Hull in Betfred Super League round one. He suffered a concussion two weeks before, in Leeds’ final full-scale warm-up game away to Wigan Warriors and suffered a second bang to the head against Hull.

Rhinos stood him down from training and matches after he failed to get through return to play protocols. He is now taking medication for migraines and undergoing vestibular rehabilitation - to reduce dizziness and other symptoms of inner ear damage - and is confident he is on the mend.

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