Wakefield look to bounce back from Thursday’s loss against the Rhinos at Belle Vue. Here’s everything you need to know.
TEAM FORM GUIDE
Wakefieldย Trinity
Trinity are coming off a heartbreaking defeat to bitter rivals Castleford, where a massive second half comeback fell just short and they were defeated 28-26. However, they sit at fifth in the table and could go third with victory on Monday.
Leeds Rhinos
The Rhinos beat Huddersfield on Friday afternoon to move off the bottom of the table and will be looking to put some space between themselves and London Broncos, as the two are currently only separated by points difference. They will be looking for consistency after a shaky first eleven games.
SQUAD NEWS
Wakefield Trinity
Joe Arundel and Matty Ashurst have both been ruled out through injury and are replaced by Jack Croft and Lee Kershaw in the 19 man squad.
Trinity will be hoping prop David Fifita is fit to play after leaving the field with a knock in Thursday’s game.
Wakefield 19-man squad:ย Annakin, Arona, Caton-Brown, Croft, Crowther, Fifita, Hampshire, Hirst, Horo, Jones-Bishop, Jowitt, Kershaw, King, Kirmond, Kopczak, Lyne, Pauli, Reynolds, Wood.
Leeds Rhinos
David Furner has named an unchanged 19 man squad from Friday’s win against Huddersfield.
Prop Nathaniel Peteru will be available, despite earning a one game suspension as this will come into effect next week. There are however questions over the fitness of Konrad Hurrell after he was injured in Friday’s game.
Leeds 19-man squad:ย Briscoe, Watkins, Hurrell, Handley, Lolohea, Myler, Parcell, Singleton, Dwyer, Sutcliffe, Ferres, Peteru, Oledzki, Jones-Buchanan, McLelland, Donaldson, Newman, Trout, Albert.
HEAD TO HEAD
The two sides met earlier this season, with Wakefield taking the two points at Headingley, thanks to a superb performance from winger Tom Johnstone. However, Johnstone will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. Also missing for Monday’s match is half back Danny Brough, who was also a big factor in Trinity’s earlier victory. The half always seems to save his best performances for the Rhinos, going back to his time at Huddersfield, but he too is injured.
KEY BATTLE
Mason Caton-Brown (Wakefield) v Ash Handley (Leeds)
Wakefield re-signed Caton-Brown to step in once Tom Johnstone had his season ended by injury, and he has been exceptional so far, scoring two tries against Castleford.
The Rhinos will hope winger Ash Handley can keep up his blistering form as he is currently second in Super League’s top try-scoring chart. Should centre Konrad Hurrell miss this game though, it will be very interesting to see how Handley’s output is affected. It could be said that this game will be decided by which winger is the more clinical.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: Monday 22nd April
Venue: Belle Vue
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Chris Kendall
WHO WILL WIN?
Wakefield will be looking to return to winning ways, while the Rhinos will be looking to build on Friday’s victory. I predict a close game, with Leeds edging it 26-22.
