Trinity play host to the Rhinos at Belle Vue.
TEAM FORM GUIDE
Wakefield Trinity
Trinity lost 48-10 to an in form St Helens side in the Challenge Cup last weekend. They currently sit sixth in Super League, but could drop to eighth at the weekend. They were narrowly beaten in their last Super League game, against Catalans at Magic Weekend, and a similar performance should see them comfortably dispatch the Rhinos
Leeds Rhinos
The Rhinos should be fresh as they have not played since Magic Weekend two weeks ago, where they narrowly beat fellow strugglers London Broncos. They have been wildly inconsistent this season, and it is always a question of which Rhinos side will turn up on the night.
SQUAD NEWS
Wakefield Trinity
David Fifita has been named in the squad after missing last week’s Challenge cup tie through an ankle injury. Juniour Sa’u has also been recalled after being cup tied last week.
Joe Arundel and Bill Tupou are both still not ready for a return to selection, with injuries keeping them out.
Wakefield 19-man squad:ย Ashurst, Batchelor, Brough, Croft, Crowther, England, Fifita, Hampshire, Hirst, Jones-Bishop, Kershaw, King, Kopczak, Lyne, Miller, Randell, Sa’u, Tanginoa, Wood
Leeds Rhinos
Fan favourite Konrad Hurrell returns to the Rhinos squad, having not played since April. While Tui Lolohea and Brett Ferres are both named in Richard Agar’s 19 man squad. Captain Kallum Watkins has also been named in the side after this week’s news he will be leaving the Rhinos at the end of the season. Full-back Jack Walker is likely to start after being given a new five year deal this week.
Leeds 19-man squad:ย Walker, Briscoe, Hurrell, Watkins, Handley, Lolohea, Myler, Cuthbertson, Singleton, Merrin, Dwyer, Sutcliffe, Ferres, Oledzki, Golding, Smith, Donaldson, Newman, Seumanufagai
HEAD TO HEAD
The two sides have met twice already this season, with Trinity securing a 35-18 win at Headingley Stadium in the first meeting. Winger Tom Johnstone scored a hat-trick in that game but won’t play this season following serious injury. The second meeting was a much tighter affair, with Wakefield coming away 26-24 victors.
KEY BATTLE
David Fifita (Wakefield Trinity) v Ava Seumanufagai (Team name)
Seumanufagai has taken time to settle in to Super League, but has been improving every week and certainly has the ability to be one of Super League’s most feared forwards. There is no bigger test than going up against David Fifita, who is considered by many to be the best prop in Super League. This clash should be a physical and hard hitting affair, and the two players should put on a show on Friday night.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: Friday 7th Juneย
Venue: Belle Vue stadium
Kick-off: 7:45
WHO WILL WIN?
Wakefield should be too strong for the struggling Rhinos, I predict they’ll win 34-18.
