Friday night’s televised game will see Leeds Rhinos take on Wakefield Trinity at Headingley.
TEAM FORM GUIDE
Leeds Rhinos
Leeds have been slowly improving every game this season. They will be looking to bounce back with a win following a tight defeat to St Helens last week.
Wakefield Trinity
Wakefield are coming into this one in good spirits having beaten Catalans last week. Their only win this season.
SQUAD NEWS
Leeds Rhinos
Hooker Matt Parcell and back-rower James Donaldson are back in the squad having missed last weeks game due to head injuries. Fan favourite Stevie Ward misses out because of a knee injury suffered in the defeat at St Helens last week.
Leeds Rhinos 19-man squad: Walker,ย Briscoe, Watkins, Hurrell, Handley,ย Lolohea,ย Myler,ย Cuthbertson, Parcell,ย Singleton,ย Merrin, Dwyer, Sutcliffe, Ferres, Peteru, Oledzki, Smith, Donaldson, Newman
Wakefield Trinity
Prop Pauli Pauli returns to the 19-man squad after injury, replacing Jordan Crowther. Other than that the Trinity is unchanged from the side that beat Catalans last week, including Joe Arundel, who signed a new two year deal earlier this week.
Wakefield Trinity 19-man squad: ย Arona, Arundel,ย Ashurst, Batchelor,ย Brough,ย England,ย Fifita ,Hampshire,ย Hirst,ย Horo,ย Johnstone, Jones-Bishop,ย King,ย Kopczak, Lyne,ย Miller,ย Pauli, Tupou, Wood
HEAD TO HEAD
The sides met twice last season. With the Rhinos winning 28-26 at Belle Vue and a thrilling 20-20 draw at Headingley. This fixture has traditionally provided plenty of tries, and fans should expect something similar on Friday.ย Wakefield have only won one of the last twelve games played at Headingley Stadium, with that victory coming in 2016.
KEY BATTLE
David Fifita vs Trent Merrin
The Rhinos filled the need for a prop who could carry the ball with power by bringing in Trent Merrin. The former Penrith man poses a huge problem for opposing defenders with his size and ability. Wakefield’s David Fifita has proven to be near unstoppable since arriving in Super League. It will be interesting to see which of these two has the upper hand on Friday night. The 6 foot 4 Fifita has the size advantage over the 6 foot Merrin, but Merrin is seen as the overall more experienced player, having played over 200 NRL games. This is a game that could be won or lost by the forward packs.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: Friday 1st March 2019
Venue: Emerald Headingley Stadium
Kick-off: 19:45
Referee: Chris Kendall
WHO WILL WIN?
Leeds win 36-12
https://nothingbutleague.com/2019/02/07/super-league-steve-prescott-man-of-steel-results/
