'It's not as bad as it sounds' - Leeds Rhinos star pledges quick recovery from fractured back

After overcoming three anterior cruciate ligament injuries during his 11-year professional career, Leeds Rhinos forward James Donaldson won’t let a fractured back wreck his season.
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The 28-year-old Cumbrian says he is determined to be available for the second half of the restarted Betfred Super League campaign after being hurt in Rhinos’ first game following the coronavirus lay-off.

Donaldson - who underwent two knee reconstructions during his time with Bradford Bulls and one as a Hull KR player - was stretchered off the field in the second half of Leeds’ 27-26 win over Huddersfield Giants on August 2, but is hoping to begin light training in the next few days.

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“It is not as bad as it probably looked,” Donaldson said of his injury.

James Donaldson is treated after being injured against Huddersfield earlier this month. Picture by James Hardisty.James Donaldson is treated after being injured against Huddersfield earlier this month. Picture by James Hardisty.
James Donaldson is treated after being injured against Huddersfield earlier this month. Picture by James Hardisty.

“You have vertebrae down the middle of your back and each one of those vertebrae has some wings on the side of it.

“I have fractured one of them which has caused some discomfort in my back, as you could probably see when I tried to get up - I got a big shooting pain in my back.

“It felt like I couldn’t get up and walk off, which I would rather do than be stretchered off, to be fair, but hopefully it settles down.

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“It has not quite settled down yet, I have been trying to lie down quite a bit just to give it the rest I can and hopefully by the end of this week it should settle down a lot more and I can start moving a bit more.

James Donaldson is carried from the field after suffering a fractured back. Picture by James Hardisty.James Donaldson is carried from the field after suffering a fractured back. Picture by James Hardisty.
James Donaldson is carried from the field after suffering a fractured back. Picture by James Hardisty.

“Hopefully I can get on the watt bike or something like that and go from there.”

Donaldson had hurt his neck earlier in the game, which was why the medics protected that area when he was treated on the field.

He admitted: “I knew my mum and my missus would be at home, panicking, thinking is he all right? It’s not nice for them to see, but it’s rugby league.”

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New rules brought in since the shutdown ended have made rugby league faster and there are fears that could lead to more injuries.

James Donaldson scores against Huddersfield last season. Picture by Steve Riding.James Donaldson scores against Huddersfield last season. Picture by Steve Riding.
James Donaldson scores against Huddersfield last season. Picture by Steve Riding.

“My personal view is that players are getting fitter and stronger every year, so the collisions are getting bigger,” Donaldson said.

People are getting fitter and faster, you are throwing your body at people and you’re obviously going to see a few injuries from people doing this. But it’s rugby and that’s what we do.

“We have to adapt and try and thrive in these conditions and try and take advantage of the rule the best we can as a team and try and use it as an advantage.”

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Donaldson’s setback came in Rhinos’ first game for five months, which made it especially disappointing. He said: “Probably the biggest frustration is I have worked my socks off in this lockdown, probably harder than I have trained for a long time and I’ve tried to put myself in the best possible position I can to help the team out.

“It is a bit of a kick in the teeth really, but I will dust myself off.

“I have been in this position enough times now to know what to do, how to get myself right and I will do that the best I can and come back and try to give the team a bit of energy when they need it. That will probably be about half way through this back half - hopefully I will only be another five or six weeks, which is nice for me - I am normally used to six months.”

Donaldson’s plan for his return is to be “as enthusiastic as ever and hopefully try and pick the boys up half way through the season”.

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He has not let the setback get him down and stressed: “If you feel sorry for yourself you just end up making things feel worse.

“You have got to try and pick yourself up, ready to go again.

“I am all good mentally and trying to stay as positive as possible.

“I like to feed off negativity, I am one of those people who likes to prove people wrong and I’ll come back and try to do that again.”

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Donaldson watched last Sunday’s 48-0 loss to St Helens from home.

“We are not allowed in the stadium, only the 21-man squad’s allowed in,” he said.

“That’s the toughest thing, watching your mates go through a tough time and not being able to be there and help them out.

“Hopefully we can learn the lesson as soon as possible and I am sure we will all come back stronger from this.”

A message from the Editor:

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Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890. We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds. https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/why-yorkshire-evening-post-needs-your-support-laura-collins-yep-editor-2913382

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Thank you

Laura Collins

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