Joey Leilua optimistic on hamstring injury
Featherstone centre Joey Leilua is optimistic he will be back “in a week or so” after suffering a hamstring injury.
Leilua was withdrawn during the first half during Featherstone’s 28-6 win over Leigh on Monday night after complaining of tightness.
Despite the injury, Leilua was able to set up the first try of the night for Luke Briscoe. He said he did not actually want the ball at the time.
Speaking to the club website, Leilua said: “In the lead up to the first try I did not want the ball at the time due to my hamstring, but John Davies gave it to me and then the instincts just took over. I played what was in front of me and offloaded to Briscoe who did the rest.
“The hamstring was a bit tight and I did not want to make it worse, so the physio advised me to come off. It’s a bit upsetting but it is a long season and hopefully I am back in a week or so.
“In terms of the overall game our pack in the middle set the standards early on and they defended really well.
“For the first ten minutes Leigh had the majority of the field position. But once we scored that first try the momentum shifted and they were no match for our boys in the end.”
Featherstone win on Leilua debut
Featherstone Rovers won the battle of the Championship’s big two in Monday night Rugby League as they beat Leigh Centurions 28-6 in an entertaining affair.
Joey Leilua made his eagerly-anticipated debut for Featherstone following his move from the NRL. Matty Wildie and Ben Hellewell, who both played for Leigh in Super League last season, faced their former clubs for the first time since their switch to the Rovers.
There was an attendance of 4,562 to watch the Championship’s big two go head-to-head at Post Office Road, and you can see why they have been so bold about their Super League ambitions.
Rovers have recruited impressively over the off-season, with the likes of Leilua, Jesse Sene-Lefao and Adam Cuthbertson adding to the strong group they’ve already got. They laid down a marker with a strong win over Leigh, for sure.
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