Leeds Rhinos captain Ward heading back to fitness

Two months on, Leeds Rhinos captain Stevie Ward still has concussion symptoms, but is now on the mend.
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Ward, 26, suffered a head injury in Rhinos’ Betfred Super League opener against Hull on February 2 and has not played since.

He has missed four matches and was set to be out of action for at least double that, but with rugby league now shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic is hopeful of being available the next time Leeds take to the field.

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The strong-running second-rower was stood down from training and games at the end of February and tests later confirmed damage to an inner ear was causing his dizzy spells and blurred vision.

Stevie Ward in possession against Hull. Pixture by Tony Johnson.Stevie Ward in possession against Hull. Pixture by Tony Johnson.
Stevie Ward in possession against Hull. Pixture by Tony Johnson.

Ward, a two-time Grand Final winner, is now taking medication and told The Yorkshire Evening Post: “I am all right.”

Providing an update on his condition, he admitted: “It is a bit of a weird scenario to be in at the moment because there’s nothing going on, there’s no games being played.

“Time has stopped and I guess that’s taking the pressure away as I am not missing games now.

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“I am hoping I will be back fighting fit when the season starts up again, which would be quite nice.”

Stevie Ward tackles Hull's Jamie Shaul. Picture by Tony Johnson.Stevie Ward tackles Hull's Jamie Shaul. Picture by Tony Johnson.
Stevie Ward tackles Hull's Jamie Shaul. Picture by Tony Johnson.

Rugby Football League (RFL) rules state players must complete a return to play protocol following any concussion.

Ward - who took over as skipper at the start of the season - began the procedure several times, but failed to gain the all-clear.

He then consulted top specialists Hiren Patel and Simon Kemp who revealed his problems were far from unique.

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“There’s been 13 players from rugby union last year who had concussion that lasted three to six months,” Ward said.

Stevie Ward watches on as Hull celebrate. Picture by Tony Johnson.Stevie Ward watches on as Hull celebrate. Picture by Tony Johnson.
Stevie Ward watches on as Hull celebrate. Picture by Tony Johnson.

“Now I am just having the lingering symptoms from it, but the symptoms before were quite tough to deal with.

“I had migraines on average every day, I was sensitive to light and in the stages close to it I was slurring my speech and things like that.

“It has not been fun at all, the dizziness has been really bad, but I am hoping I am over the worst of it and things are getting better.”

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He added: “It is an inner ear injury, the sort of thing boxers get.

“It has made it hard to get about and to to train as I’d like to, but I am able to do some training now.

“I’ve been doing weights and getting out on my bike for my one exercise every day and I feel like that’s helping.”

Ward conceded the early stages were unnerving and worse than when he has taken blows to the head in the past.

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And he stressed he won’t be rushed back into action before he is fully ready.

“I felt it before, in 2018,” he recalled.

“I had dizziness and headaches then, but I’ve been having migraines this time which is a new thing for me.

“It is a bit unsettling.

“I have had to take a step back from playing and I feel like I’ve had to look after my head.

“I have made a deal with myself that if I need a shoulder replacement or a knee replacement in the future then it’d be worth it for the moments I get to share on the field with my teammates.

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“But I don’t think there’ll be head or brain replacements for another 1,000 years - not successfully anyway!”

The suspension of rugby league at all levels has given Ward extra time to recover without missing more rugby.

Leeds have already had three games called off due to Covid-19 - on top of the round two fixture at Huddersfield Giants which was postponed due to Storm Ciara - and the lay-off is expected to last until late May, at the earliest.

“I am hopeful of being back when it starts back again,” Ward confirmed. But he stressed: “I am looking after my head, first and foremost- and making sure that is all taken care of.”

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