Luckless forward Joe Greenwood eyes loan extension at Leeds Rhinos

ON-LOAN forward Joe Greenwood has spoken of his frustration after being revealed to be the Leeds player who showed symptoms of the coronavirus on the eve of the Rhinos’ trip to Catalans Dragons.
Joe GreenwoodJoe Greenwood
Joe Greenwood

Leeds, who initially kept the identity of the player under wraps, cancelled their travel plans as they awaited the results of the private test, leading to Saturday’s Betfred Super League game in Perpignan being postponed the day before it was due to be played.

Greenwood’s test subsequently came back negative, but Rhinos say several players and staff are now self-isolating as a result of feeling unwell.

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With tonight’s scheduled visit of St Helens and the huge derby at Castleford Tigers next Thursday both postponed owing to the Covid-19 crisis, Rhinos’ players have been given an unexpected two-week break, but with the option to report in for training next week on a voluntary basis.

Joe Greenwood.Joe Greenwood.
Joe Greenwood.

“With everything that’s going on it was a bit scary at the time,” Greenwood – who is on a two-month loan from Wigan Warriors – said of going into self-isolation last week.

“They said they were going to do some tests on me which they have done, but it came back all negative.

“It was just another virus, but I’ve shaken that off now and ready to go again.”

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Rugby league has been suspended until at least Friday, April 3, but most in the game expect the shutdown to last much longer.

It is a concerning time for everyone and particularly frustrating in Greenwood’s case.

The former St Helens and Gold Coast Titans forward, who made his England debut in 2018 and featured in the second-string Knights squad last year, has yet to play this season and joined Rhinos to gain much-needed game time.

He was not selected for the first two matches after linking with Leeds – against Warrington Wolves and Toronto Wolfpack – and there is a possibility rugby league might not resume during his initial loan spell.

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At best, he will have to wait at least another fortnight before getting the chance to make his debut and the second-rower, who has been training as a prop with Leeds, is now hoping his loan spell at Rhinos can be extended.

“I’m hopeful we can get something sorted out and I can extend a bit,” he said.

“I’m just keen for my chance to come soon, to be able to wear that shirt and run out at Headingley.”

Rhinos were in impressive form before coronavirus derailed the season, having won four successive games.

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That is their best run since the end of the 2017 title-winning season and lifted them to third in the table, with a brace of games in hand on the teams two points above them, Wigan and Castleford.

“All the lads will be chomping at the bit, so we’re all just waiting for the all clear,” Greenwood stressed. “I am trying to do a bit of training on my own where I can and just really getting back to reality as much as I can.”

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