After both sides won last week, Wakefield Trinity and Huddersfield Giants face off in a game that could see the home side move third, or the visitors move level on points with their hosts.
TEAM FORM GUIDE
Wakefield Trinity
Trinity go into the match on the back of their brilliant 33-22 win over Salford Red Devils last week.
Tries from David Fifita, Ryan Hampshire, Reece Lyne, Pauli Pauli and Jacob Miller, along with pristine kicking from Danny Brough, ensured that Wakefield claimed their fourth win of the season.
Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield, meanwhile, crossed the whitewash seven times on their way to triumphing over London Broncos 26-38, with Akuila Uate touching the ball down twice. Joe Wardle, Jordan Turner, Jermaine McGillvary, Sebastine Ikahihifo and Alex Mellor also scored in the victory in the capital last time out.
After a poor start to the season, the Giants now have six points to their name and seem to have hit some form.
SQUAD NEWS
Wakefield Trinity
Wakefield recall Danny Kirmond to the squad; the skipper has missed the last two games through suspension.
Kirmond replaces Bill Tupou, who is ruled out with the groin injury he picked up in last week’s win over Salford.
Wakefield 19-man squad: Arona, Arundel, Ashurst, Brough, Crowther, England, Fifita, Hampshire, Hirst, Horo, Jones-Bishop, Jowitt, King, Kirmond, Kopczak, Lyne, Miller, Pauli, Wood.
Huddersfield Giants
Simon Woolford brings Oliver Russell back into the squad in place of Louis Senior.
The Giants coach has the first-team regular available once more as his injury worries slowly start to ease.
Huddersfield 19-man squad: McIntosh, McGillvary, Turner, Uate, Gaskell, Frawley, Leeming, Matagi, Mellor, Lawrence, O’Brien, Roberts, Ta’ai, English, Russell, Ikahihifo, Hewitt, Senior, Wardle.
HEAD TO HEAD
In this fixture last season, Wakefield emerged comfortable winners. Lee Gaskell scored the Giants’ only try of the match, falling to a 22-4 defeat as Ben Jones-Bishop scored a brace and Mason Caton-Brown also crossed.
Trinity also won the reverse fixture, thumping their rivals 16-42 at the John Smith’s Stadium.
KEY BATTLE
Danny Brough (Wakefield) vs Jermaine McGillvary (Huddersfield)
Having enjoyed a long spell at the Giants, Brough faces his old side for the first time since leaving his new club’s Yorkshire rivals. Often a fans’ favourite, Brough moved to within Super League’s top five points scorers of all time at the Giants so will look to use his reliable kicking to guide his teammates to victory.
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McGillvary, time and time again, collected Brough’s long balls in the corners over his years at the Giants and although his skills in the air aren’t of as much importance currently, his strong driving and ability to beat a man (or four) on his way to the line make him a tough opponent for any defence.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date:ย Friday 5th April
Venue:ย Belle Vue
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Referee:ย Scott Mikalauskas
WHO WILL WIN?
After last season’s overwhelming triumphs, it is hard to see past Wakefield recording another resounding victory. Add to that the impressive start that Trinity have made to 2019, a Giants win looks nearly impossible. However, Huddersfield have found form at just the right time so, if they were to ever cause an upset, perhaps now is the time. I’m not sure it is though, I’m going for a Wakefield win: 28-16.
