Matt Ramage previews the Super League Round 13 clash where Rhinos host Hull KR in a relegation 4 pointer.
TEAM FORM GUIDE
Leeds Rhinos
Two solid performances over the Easter break left Leeds with a good win against Huddersfield and a tough loos to Wakefield. However both performances will have been pleasing to head coach Dave Furner, and confidence should be high going into Sunday’s fixture.
Hull KR
Hull struggled over the Easter weekend, giving up over 50 points to both Warrington and bitter rivals Hull FC. They have slid to 10th in the table, and just two points ahead of opponents Leeds, with a far worse points difference.
SQUAD NEWS
Leeds Rhinosย
Adam Cuthbertson, Jack Walker and Cameron Smith all return to the 19 following injuries. However Brett Ferres, Wellington Albert and Nathan Peteru will miss out having picked up injuries.
Leeds 19-man squad:ย Walker, Briscoe, Watkins, Handley, Lolohea, Myler, Cuthbertson, Parcell, Singleton, Merrin, Dwyer, Sutcliffe, Oledzki, Jones-Buchanan, Smith, McLelland, Donaldson, Newman, Trout
Hull KR
Second row Antoni Maria is expected to make his debut having signed for the club on loan from Catalans this week. Ryan Lannon is returning from injury and is named in the 19 man squad.
Hull 19-man squad:ย Hall, Crooks, Keinhorst, Shaw, McGuire, Mulhern, Lunt, Tomkins, Hauraki, Atkin, Vaivai, Addy, Lawler, Lannon, Linnett, Drinkwater, Oakes, Harrison, Maria
HEAD TO HEAD
Hull KR won this contest earlier in the season, despite Rhinos centre Konrad Hurrell scoring four tries. He misses out this time through injury. Rhinos fans will see many familiar faces in the KR side, with Danny McGuire, Jimmy Keinhorst, Shaun Lunt and Robbie Mulhern all having previously worn the Blue and Amber. Perhaps the most high profile meeting between the two sides in recent history, the 2015 Challenge Cup final ended with a 50-0 Rhinos victory.
KEY BATTLE
Richie Myler (Leeds Rhinos) v Danny McGuire (Hull KR)
The Rhinos brought in Richie Myler from Catalans to replace outgoing club legend Danny McGuire. However McGuire has found new life and is an integral part of this KR side. It will be very interesting to see who comes out on top on Sunday. McGuire dominated the earlier meeting between the two sides but a big performance on Sunday will show the Rhinos fans at Emerald Headingley just what they’re missing. Myler knows this will be a big chance to show that bringing him in was the right move.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: Sunday 28th April
Venue: Emerald headingley Stadium
Kick-off: 15:00
Referee: James Child
WHO WILL WIN?
The Rhinos performances have really picked up over the Easter weekend, and they should have the confidence to edge out KR, who struggled over a difficult Easter period. Leeds win 38-24.
