Leeds seething as prop Kylie Leuluai is ruled out for weeks


Leeds will be without their Samoan prop Kylie Leuluai for Sunday's Super League game at Warrington after he became the latest victim of a tackling technique that the Rhinos coach Brian McClennan describes as a growing concern.

Leuluai suffered ankle damage that could rule him out for several weeks as a result of the impact of a third defender going low during the champions' surprise home defeat by the Crusaders last Sunday.

"My understanding is that more and more players are getting injured by this tackle, down under as well," said McClennan, who claimed that the Rhinos forwards Jamie Peacock and Carl Ablett have also been victims this season.

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"It's a difficult one," the former New Zealand national coach told the Yorkshire Evening Post. "It's not illegal, but it causes injuries. If the third man comes in from the side, you're all right. If he comes in from the back, and you don't see him, your body goes forward, but your foot gets locked in the ground, it gets hyperextended and that causes injuries. We have had three of those this year and it's frustrating.

"I don't imagine anyone's purposefully gone out to do this, but it is frustrating when it happens to your players. We'll encourage players to tackle around the legs too, but you have to take a bit of care when you come right around the back."

Leeds are also likely to be without their former New Zealand full-back Brent Webb for the trip to Warrington after he suffered an ankle injury in training.

The game at Headingley also took its toll on the Crusaders, who were down to 14 players in training at the start of this week ahead of Sunday's home game against Wakefield Trinity. The Crusaders coach Brian Noble said that Gareth Thomas remains at least a fortnight away from recovery from a groin problem.

The second Hull derby of the season has also been rearranged and will now be played on a Thursday night, 15 July, at the KC Stadium to allow live coverage on Sky. Hull's gifted but fragile 22-year-old three-quarter Craig Hall is thought to be considering a move across the city to Hull KR, who are also close to agreeing a new one-year contract with their ball-playing Australian forward Ben Galea.

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