Injured Leeds Rhinos skipper Luke Gale expected to be fit for Super League kick off says assistant-boss Sean Long

Betfred Super League’s delayed start will give Leeds Rhinos captain Luke Gale an opportunity to be ready for round one.
By Peter Smith
Published 15th Jan 2021, 12:22 BST
Updated 16th Jan 2021, 10:24 BST
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Gale tore a pectoral muscle in Rhinos’ first pre-season training session, last week and was set to miss around two weeks of the new campaign.

But, after clubs decided this week to put the start of the season back from March 11 to March 25, Rhinos assistant-coach Sean Long confirmed Gale is expected to be fit for the big kick off.

“I think so,” Long said in a media briefing today (Friday).

Sean Long pictured at training during a blizzard last week. Today's session was cancelled because of this week's snow. Picture by Phil Daly/Leeds Rhinos.Sean Long pictured at training during a blizzard last week. Today's session was cancelled because of this week's snow. Picture by Phil Daly/Leeds Rhinos.
Sean Long pictured at training during a blizzard last week. Today's session was cancelled because of this week's snow. Picture by Phil Daly/Leeds Rhinos.
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“They say it’s a three-month [layoff], but Galey is a really good pro’, he’s a quick healer and with it being his pec’ he can do a bit of running and stuff like that.

“With it being put back a couple of weeks - and we have got some great medical staff at the Rhinos - I think he will be back for the start of the season, which is a bonus for us.”

Rhinos cancelled training today because of yesterday’s snow, but Long has been impressed with what he has seen during the first two weeks of pre-season.

The former Great Britain half-back joined the club at the end of last 2020 following a spell in rugby union with Harlequins.

“It has been really good,” he said.

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“We addressed some areas we needed to improve on from last season and the boys have all bought into it.

“The vibe is good, the intensity is where we want to be and we are doing a lot of skills, a lot of games.

“I’ve brought some new skills in which the boys have taken on board straight away.

“I am really, really impressed with the intensity of the lads in training and how they do things.

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“We’ve got some good characters in the team and at the moment, we are only two weeks in, but the boys have been bob on.”

See tomorrow’s Yorkshire Evening Post and online for more of Long’s thoughts on Rhinos’ prospects for the 2021 season.

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Related topics:Luke GaleSuper LeagueRhinosGreat Britain

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