Round nine kicks off in East Hull as Hull Kingston Rovers host Leeds Rhinos. Here’s everything you need to know.
TEAM FORM GUIDE
Hull KR
Since their big win at Wakefield Trinity, the Red Robins have endured a winless run which currently stands at three consecutive games.
Their previous two home games haven’t gone to plan either, having lost against Salford and Catalan after breaking the deadlock first.
Leeds
The Rhinos haven’t had the best of starts to their Super League campaign either.
However, after claiming their second win of the season against Castleford, they will be more confident and will hope to keep their momentum going.
SQUAD NEWS
Hull KR
The Robins will welcome back Danny McGuire and Robbie Mulhern to the fold. McGuire missed the previous two defeats to Huddersfield and St Helens through a groin injury, with Mulhern not featuring since the loss at Castleford due to a back issue.
Youngsters Adam Rooks and Harry Bardle are omitted from the 19-man squad after deputising well across the last two weeks.
There are six former Leeds players in Sheens’ ranks this week: McGuire, Mulhern, Jimmy Keinhorst, Shaun Lunt, Weller Hauraki and Mitch Garbutt.
Hull KR’s 19-man squad:
Hall, Crooks, Keinhorst, Shaw, McGuire, Mulhern, Lunt, Masoe, Tomkins, Hauraki, Garbutt, Lee, Atkin, Vaivai, Addy, Lawler, Linnett, Drinkwater, Oakes.
Leeds
Richie Myler will serve a one-game suspension whilst Brett Ferres completes his two game suspension with this Thursday’s game. Young prop Tom Holroyd has also been ruled out with an ankle injury.
Tui Lolohea and Adam Cuthbertson come back into contention this week whilst the club are waiting for the completion of paperwork before they can include Papua New Guinean international Wellington Albert in their match-day squad. If Albert is cleared, he will wear squad number 36.
James Donaldson could face his former club on Thursday, having left Hull KR at the end of last season.
Leeds’ 19-man squad:
Walker, Briscoe, Watkins, Hurrell, Handley, Lolohea, Cuthbertson, Parcell, Singleton, Merrin, Dwyer, Sutcliffe, Peteru, Oledzki, Jones-Buchanan, Smith, Donaldson, Newman.
HEAD TO HEAD
Out of the previous 17 meetings between the two sides, it is unsurprisingly Leeds that have won the majority with 13 wins to their name.
The stats don’t get any better for Rovers, who haven’t beaten Leeds at Craven Park since April 2011, when they won by 38 points to 28.
Both teams lurk near the bottom half of the Super League table and will look for a win to leapfrog a couple of teams before the gap increases too much.
KEY BATTLE
Mitch Garbutt (Hull Kingston Rovers) v Konrad Hurrell (Leeds Rhinos)
Both of these players have made the difference for their respective sides in terms of metres. Despite being in the lower half of the Super League, their work rate hasn’t gone unnoticed.
The recurring theme so far is that Leeds are on top in terms of history, form and even statistics as well. Konrad is the top metre maker in the league, with 1263m, whereas Mitch Garbutt is second with 1107m.
Not to mention Garbutt is one of six former Leeds players that are featured in the squad but all eyes will be on him as he looks to add to his try-scoring tally.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: Thursday 4th April
Venue: KCOM Craven Park
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Referee: James Child
WHO WILL WIN?
With everything being in favour of Leeds Rhinos, I can see the night being difficult for them but victorious. I believe Rovers might have to wait a bit longer before they will see a home victory against their opponents.
