Jones-Buchanan ready to motor back to fitness

Correspondent

Jamie Jones-Buchanan is feeling good after making a return to action, but admits that he still needs to sharpen up his fitness before he is back to his best.

Leeds Rhinos beat Widnes Vikings 38-28 on Sunday, with Jones-Buchanan making his comeback from injury from the interchange bench.

He also compared his return to fitness to a vehicle being serviced back to full efficiency.

“I’m chuffed to bits to be back out putting a kit on. The novelty of playing for Leeds has never worn off,” said the backrower.

“I love it. I’s like a young school kid making my debut again.

“But I’m not where I want to be yet. At least fitness-wise, I need to get a lot more game time into me.

“For want of a better metaphor, I’ve had problems with my van recently. I keep having to change little parts and keep putting oil back in to get it running right.

“That’s what I’ve felt like with my body for the last 10 weeks, or probably nine months, actually, it seems been one thing after another.

“But it’s all coming together. The van as a whole is in great nick. I’m in great nick, mentally, physically and spiritually.

“I just want to get 80 minutes into me, and then I won’t look back.”