SUPER LEAGUE PREVIEW | Hull KR vs Huddersfield Giants
After England’s victory over New Zealand over the past weekend, the Super League returns to action this Friday as Hull Kingston Rovers host Huddersfield Giants at KCOM Craven Park. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the clash.
SQUAD NEWS
Hull Kingston Rovers
It will look to be another difficult test for the hosts as they haven’t won in four games, although they were able to come from behind to get a draw against an in-from Castleford Tigers side last time around.
Injuries have also been a key issue for Hull KR this season but head coach Tim Sheens will welcome back the trio of Danny McGuire, Tommy Lee and Robbie Mulhern to the squad. Matty Marsh, Elliot Wallis and Aaron Smith are the players to make way.
Hull KR 19-man squad: Quinlan, Vaivai, Shaw, McGuire, Scruton, Lunt, Masoe, Blair, Greenwood, Kavanagh, Jewitt, Donaldson, Clarkson, Lee, Mulhern, Salter, Atkin, Tickle, Tomkins
Huddersfield Giants
The Giants come into the game with back-to-back wins over Leeds Rhinos and Catalans Dragons and will look to make it a third win in a row if they are to challenge for the top eight.
Head coach Simon Woolford says that the team will be “mostly similar” to the team that played against Catalan Dragons two weeks ago. This will include their winger Jermain McGillvary who will be returning to club action after his international duty over the past weekend.
Huddersfield Giants 19-man squad: McGillvary, Cudjoe, Turner, Murphy, Gaskell, Ikahihifo, Leeming, Lawrence, Hinchcliffe, Rankin, Roberts, Smith, O’Brien, Mellor, McIntosh, Wood, English, Russell, Hewitt
HEAD TO HEAD
The last time the two sides met was in March when Hull KR secured their second win of the season with a 38-6 win.
Forward Ollie Roberts’ early try, improved by Danny Brough, gave the Giants a 6-0 lead, but Rovers hit back with three tries, adding a further three after the break.
Shaw scored two of the tries, and kicked seven goals, while Andrew Hefernan, Adam Quinlan, James Greenwood and Danny McGuire all crossed too.
KEY BATTLE- Danny McGuire v Jermaine McGillvary
With Hull KR’s skipper Danny McGuire returning to action after a blood-clot injury and Huddersfield Giants’ Jermaine McGillvary returning from international duty, the spotlight will be on these two stars as they aim to help their teams get the two points.
In his debut season, McGuire has risen to the top of the ranks under Tim Sheens and is still performing exceptionally after his decorated career at Leeds Rhinos. He will be aware that another loss will all-but keep them out of the top eight.
As for one of England’s star wingers, McGillvary will look to help the Giants put a nail in the coffin of a team below them in the table, chasing them for the last spot in the top eight of the table.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: 29/06/2018
Venue: KCOM Craven Park
Kick-off: 8pm
Referee: Scott Mikalauskas
WHO WILL WIN?
[totalpoll id=”289870″]
