Canteen Worker
First Grader
Mark O'Neill hurt in Leeds rugby debut
December 28, 2005 - 12:44PM
A shoulder injury limited ex-Wests Tigers skipper Mark O'Neill's English rugby league debut to just five minutes - but Leeds caretaker coach Brian McDermott liked what he saw.
O'Neill's long-awaited first game for the Rhinos was short but sweet after being taken off with a shoulder complaint in Leeds' 42-18 Boxing Day friendly win over Yorkshire rivals Wakefield at Headingley.
McDermott - holding the reins for head coach Tony Smith who is on holidays at his native Australia - was raving over the cameo off the bench by O'Neill who has since been cleared of serious injury.
O'Neill received a rousing cheer from the 11,119-strong Headingley crowd when he appeared off the bench midway through the first half and quickly stamped his authority.
The 30-year-old backrower pulled off two massive hits and created space for fellow Leeds debutant and Australian Scott Donald who offloaded for centre Ashley Gibson to score a try.
Former Manly flyer Donald also crossed in the first half along with fellow Leeds debutant Nathan McAvoy.
"Mark O'Neill took a bang on his shoulder...but there was nothing serious there," McDermott told the Leeds website.
"I thought our new signings showed up really well.
"Even though he was only on for a short period of time, Mark O'Neill showed glimpses of why we have bought him.
"And I thought Scott Donald did incredibly well to score his try from an impossible situation.
"I can hand back the team to Tony when he gets back in full fitness and looking good."
Leeds took to the field for the first time since October's Super League grand final loss to Bradford.
Another positive for Leeds was the successful return from groin surgery of Great Britain half Danny McGuire who missed the Tri Nations series due to injury.
Meanwhile, several other Australians made successful English debuts.
Former Cronulla fullback David Peachey chimed into relegated Widnes' shock 24-18 win over Super League side Warrington.
Peachey was one of 11 debutants in the Widnes National League team that beat a Warrington outfit boasting former Sharks teammate Michael Sullivan.
And Australian Terry Matterson enjoyed a dream start to his tenure as Castleford coach after his newly-promoted Super League side downed National League Two side Featherstone 28-4.
The Tigers fielded only seven regular first graders.
"It's the wrong time for us to be playing but I'm told it's a bit of a tradition," said Matterson.
"There's a bit of a duty to the fans but I'm really focusing on our first Super League game."
December 28, 2005 - 12:44PM
A shoulder injury limited ex-Wests Tigers skipper Mark O'Neill's English rugby league debut to just five minutes - but Leeds caretaker coach Brian McDermott liked what he saw.
O'Neill's long-awaited first game for the Rhinos was short but sweet after being taken off with a shoulder complaint in Leeds' 42-18 Boxing Day friendly win over Yorkshire rivals Wakefield at Headingley.
McDermott - holding the reins for head coach Tony Smith who is on holidays at his native Australia - was raving over the cameo off the bench by O'Neill who has since been cleared of serious injury.
O'Neill received a rousing cheer from the 11,119-strong Headingley crowd when he appeared off the bench midway through the first half and quickly stamped his authority.
The 30-year-old backrower pulled off two massive hits and created space for fellow Leeds debutant and Australian Scott Donald who offloaded for centre Ashley Gibson to score a try.
Former Manly flyer Donald also crossed in the first half along with fellow Leeds debutant Nathan McAvoy.
"Mark O'Neill took a bang on his shoulder...but there was nothing serious there," McDermott told the Leeds website.
"I thought our new signings showed up really well.
"Even though he was only on for a short period of time, Mark O'Neill showed glimpses of why we have bought him.
"And I thought Scott Donald did incredibly well to score his try from an impossible situation.
"I can hand back the team to Tony when he gets back in full fitness and looking good."
Leeds took to the field for the first time since October's Super League grand final loss to Bradford.
Another positive for Leeds was the successful return from groin surgery of Great Britain half Danny McGuire who missed the Tri Nations series due to injury.
Meanwhile, several other Australians made successful English debuts.
Former Cronulla fullback David Peachey chimed into relegated Widnes' shock 24-18 win over Super League side Warrington.
Peachey was one of 11 debutants in the Widnes National League team that beat a Warrington outfit boasting former Sharks teammate Michael Sullivan.
And Australian Terry Matterson enjoyed a dream start to his tenure as Castleford coach after his newly-promoted Super League side downed National League Two side Featherstone 28-4.
The Tigers fielded only seven regular first graders.
"It's the wrong time for us to be playing but I'm told it's a bit of a tradition," said Matterson.
"There's a bit of a duty to the fans but I'm really focusing on our first Super League game."
