Leeds Rhinos caretaker coach Jamie Jones-Buchanan has spoken of his shock at Zak Hardaker’s suspected seizure - but insists the England star can still have a big impact on the field. Hardaker fell ill whilst walking with his young son on Tuesday afternoon - the day his re-signing for Rhinos had been confirmed.
A paramedic who lived on the street where the 30-year-old collapsed, administered first aid and the ex-Man of Steel was taken to Pinderfields hospital. Hardaker underwent investigations before being safely discharged home but, obviously, he will not make his ‘second’ debut against Hull KR at Headingley tomorrow night.
He had returned to struggling Leeds - where he won three Grand Finals earlier in his career - only on a short-term contract after being released by Wigan Warriors last week following a disciplinary issue. Hardaker had trained with his new team-mates on Tuesday morning before a community team activity after lunch and then returning home.
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Speaking about the shock turn of events, Jones-Buchanan said: “It was really unexpected. I’ve been talking to the boys for the last four or five weeks about controlling things that you can control - and then some things just pop up completely unexpected.
“Of course, our first thoughts are with Zak and his health and making sure he’s alright. As always, the club’s responded really well. He’s got everything he needs in terms of medical advice and support and will continue to do so.
“I’ve been around the boys and asked them to give him a text message or call when they can, let him know they can’t wait to see him back. There is a lot of this season still to be played and he’ll make some big contributions I’m sure.
“I just think it underpins the fact that, for whatever reason, he’s not quite well. We need to look after him and make sure he’s good and has an opportunity to be a better version of himself.”
Hardaker expressed his disappointment in a club statement this morning but added he hoped to be “back on the field as soon as possible.” Jones-Buchanan added: “From what we’re hearing early on, the test results are pretty good and everything seems alright.
“So, whether he’ll be right for the next game in a couple of weeks, ultimately we have to have a conversation with the doctors and medical team and make sure that everything is absolutely fine for him to go and play rugby.”
Asked how Hardaker was from his conversations, Jones-Buchanan added: “Yes, he’s positive as always. He’s a tough character, always looking on the bright side of life. “That’s one of the reasons we’re looking forward to getting him back. “But we have to make sure we get him back in the right context.”
Having lost three full-backs to injury, Hardaker was primed to play at No1 for depleted Rhinos tomorrow. However, Jack Broadbent - who excelled when switching there following Liam Sutcliffe’s injury in the recent win over Toulouse - will step in.
It is a real turnaround for the 21-year-old utility back who had struggled to get in the Rhinos team this term. On the ongoing selection issues - they are without around a dozen players - Jones-Buchanan admitted: “It’s been difficult.
“We didn’t know Zak was coming until Tuesday. We weren’t certain. So we’ve been preparing anyway on the assumption he wasn’t coming and Jack Broadbent has been preparing there really well.
“He’s been excellent. I put it on Jack a little bit these last couple of weeks and I've been asked a lot of questions about him. But I thought he was exceptional against Toulouse. When we looked at some of his numbers, statistically he was out of this world.
“If there was any response a young fella needs to produce on the back of not playing and being disappointed, that was it. That was ideal. I’ve no worries at all with Jack.”
