 Burgess was a big influence when Leeds won the Super League final last year
Leeds forward Luke Burgess is set to miss the Challenge Cup final with Warrington after breaking his jaw. The prop, 23, suffered the injury in Friday's 38-6 Super League win at Castleford and is expected to sit out the Wembley showpiece on 28 August. The injury occurred after a collision with Castleford's Jonathan Walker, with Burgess rushed straight to hospital. "We are all devastated for Biffa as we have got some big games coming up," said Rhinos coach Brian McClennan. "It was a shoulder charge," McClennan added. "That's the outcome when two young blokes collide at such speed." Burgess - the brother of England and South Sydney star Sam - posted photos of the injury on his Twitter account.  | 606: DEBATE |
He later confirmed his jaw was "broken in two places" and that he was likely to undergo an operation on Saturday. Castleford boss Terry Matterson cleared his player of any blame and said the defeat meant little compared to Burgess's injury. "Jonathan has got a shoulder charge on him, although there was certainly no malice in it," he said. "But I feel for Luke Burgess because it's going to cost him a Wembley appearance. The result sort of pales into all significance after that." Veteran Leeds prop Jamie Peacock also had to leave the field with a knee injury. "He got a knock to the knee but we think he's going to be OK," McClennan said. "We'll assess it on Monday and scan it then if we need to."
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