Leigh Leopards star Kai O’Donnell insists he is ready to play in their monumental Super League play-off semi-final at Wigan on Saturday: after sharing details of the problem which sidelined him last week.
O’Donnell missed Leigh’s amazing victory over Salford Red Devils due to what was termed as a stomach issue. However, he has gone into detail about what happened, including how a ‘internal issue’ kept him out.
O’Donnell was hit hard in the back during Leigh’s regular season finale against St Helens, so much so that he urinated blood due to a significant touch with the kidney.
He was ruled out by specialists last week, but he says he is ‘on the right track’ to be cleared this week and play for the Leopards against their local rivals for a spot in the Super League Grand Final.
He revealed, “I had an internal issue after a knock last week, and I was peeing a little blood.” I’ve had to take the proper precautions, and it’s been a bit hit-and-miss, but I feel terrific, as if I could have participated. It was a last-minute call, and we had to wait to hear back from some specialists on what the best thing to do.
“It’s a bit disgusting; I took a whack to the kidney, then he basically shoulder charged me in the back! It just seemed like a good contact, but once I started running, I could feel it.
“I’m seeing a specialist early next week, and they’ll tell me what I need to do to pass. But I’ve stopped peeing blood, so everything is on track.”
O’Donnell is nearing the end of his Leigh career after signing a two-year contract to return to the NRL with the North Queensland Cowboys in 2025.
But he says he owes a lot to the Leopards for reviving his career, having signed him at a time when he was ‘in a low stage’. O’Donnell said Leigh will always be a town and a club he values, and he can’t think of a greater way to depart Super League than by leading the Leopards to their first Grand Final.
“I was pretty desperate to play because I didn’t want to have played my last game for the club, so I’m very grateful to the boys for getting the job done,” he told me. “I felt stressed all week, but relieved is definitely the term I’m looking for.
“I don’t like watching my team; I can watch any other team, but when it’s mine, I want to help my teammates. I am going to miss this so much. I love living here, and Leigh has helped me a lot in my business.
“I was going through a tough time in Australia, and this was a bit of a lifeline from Lammy and Chris Chester. This club will always hold a particular place in my heart because of the chances it has provided for me.
“I want to end on a high. It’s really essential to play for this club; it’s a little town with little success, but we’re now winning Challenge Cups and having success in the Championship. Now I want to end it with a great dance.”
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