A strong Wakefield side will host an out-of-touch Hull KR side to conclude the sixth round at Belle Vue. Here’s everything you need to know…
TEAM FORM GUIDE
Wakefield Trinity
The Wildcats conceded against the London Broncos and St Helens to make it a poor start to the season.
Although they’ve turned it around with some strong performances against the Catalan Dragons and the Leeds Rhinos.
https://nothingbutleague.com/2019/03/03/match-report-leeds-rhinos-18-35-wakefield-trinity/
Hull Kingston Rovers
The Red Robins got off to a good start, coming from behind to beat their local rivals Hull FC. They have also beaten the London Broncos in what looked like the turning point to their performances.
The win over the Broncos was followed by back-to-back defeats to the Salford Red Devils and the Castleford Tigers, not to mention the few injuries that put the nail on the coffin.
https://nothingbutleague.com/2019/03/03/match-report-castleford-tigers-32-16-hull-kr/
SQUAD NEWS
Wakefield Trinity
Chris Chester has made one change to the 19- man squad since their win over Leeds last weekend.
Matty Ashurst has been ruled out of this one and replaced by Danny Kirmond, who returns after a bicep injury. Ashurst’s injury is not as bad as first feared but Chester is confident he will return to the side.
Wakefield’s 19-man squad:
Hull KR
Tim Sheens has named his 19-man squad, making a few changes along the way.
Mitch Garbutt is brought back into the side to bolster the pack after being off for illness.
Adam Rooks and Will Oakes are both included in this week’s squad, hoping to cross the white line for their first appearances of 2019.
Jimmy Keinhorst and Kane Linnett are both included in this week’s games, despite picking up concussion and quad injuries respectively last weekend.
Robbie Mulhern is out of action this week as another victim of last week’s injury stricken side.
Sunday marks the final game that Joel Tomkins is forced to sit out, following his Grade D disciplinary charge.
Hull KR’s 19-man squad:
Hall, Keinhorst, Shaw, McGuire, Masoe, Greenwood, Hauraki, Garbutt, Lee, Jewitt, Atkin, Vaivai, Addy, Lawler, Linnett, Drinkwater, Oakes, Dagger, Rooks.
HEAD TO HEAD
It was a day to remember for Wakefield as they put nine tries past Rovers to beat them by 54 points to 18, it was certainly a day to forget for the Red Robins.
Rovers have failed to beat Wakefield last year, their last win was a thumping 54 points to 16 win at Belle Vue in 2016.
KEY BATTLE
Tom Johnstone (Wakefield Trinity) v Craig Hall (Hull KR)
In recent years the fixture has looked to be an entertaining match for neutrals, many tries have been scored against each other and these two wingers will looking to get their names on the scoresheets.
In the try scorers charts, Johnstone is on top with six tries, whereas Hall has three.
Johnstone put a good shift in against Leeds last weekend, bagging a hat-trick, however Rovers fans will be wanting their star-player to replicate his form that took them out of the Super 8s last year.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: Sunday 10th March
Venue: Belle Vue
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Tom Grant
WHO WILL WIN?
Third consecutive win for Wakefield or third consecutive defeat for Rovers?
Hull KR will look to take the fight to Wakefield, hoping to recover from their recent poor form. However with Wakefield being the better team in recent years and Rovers’ injuries turning in their favour, I believe it will be Wakefield that will be getting the win.
