Leeds v Hull KR preview
Hull KR coach Justin Morgan is confident his influx of new players will gel quickly when they kick-off the new campaign on Saturday.
Last Updated: 01/02/08 6:47pm
Hull KR coach Justin Morgan is confident his influx of new players will gel quickly enough to have a good Super League campaign this season.
Morgan has added nine new players to his squad for the coming season, and those new faces face a baptism of fire as they face reigning champions Leeds Rhinos at Headingley in the opening game of the new season.
The Rhinos are bidding to become just the second team ever to retain their Super League crown, but Morgan and his Robins side are keen to inflict an early blow on their hopes with an early away victory.
The likes of former Leeds favourite Chev Walker will be in the Rovers squad as they look to cause an upset at Headingley.
Although Walker is one of nine new faces, Morgan says that it is less than the last couple of seasons, and believes they can gel quick enough to hit the ground running at Leeds.
"The last two years I've had 10 and 12 new signings every year," said Morgan. "We're used to having new faces.
"It naturally does take time for players to settle into new systems but I think we've done everything we can in terms of preparation to ensure they have a good understanding of each other."
Targets
Rovers achieved their objective last season of retaining their Super League status in their first season in the top flight.
Although fans' hopes are now high of aiming for the play-offs, Morgan is keen to keep everyone's feet firmly on the ground.
"The expectations of the fans are to be in the top six but there are so many factors that come into play," Morgan added.
"Ask any team or any coach and they'd all say they'd want to be in the top six. We just want to make sure we progress."
The Robins have suffered a blow ahead of the weekend with the news that hooker Ben Fisher will not be fit to play due to a wrist injury.
The injury forced Morgan into making a late change, with new signing Luke Menzies, 19, drafted into his 18-man squad, although Kirk Netherton is likely to take Fisher's place in the starting line-up.
Refreshed Rhinos
Leeds will be looking to become just the second side to ever win the Super League title in back-to-back seasons.
Their fixture against the Robins has been moved forward a week ahead of the scheduled start to the new campaign due to their involvment in the World Club Challenge later on in the year.
With an unchanged squad from last year, new Rhinos coach Brian McLennan will be hoping to get off to a winning start to life in England.
Ryan Bailey - who missed the recent trip to the Florida, which included a pre-season friendly against the South Sydney Rabbitohs - is fit for action after overcoming a groin injury.
It means all 17 players who were on show in the Grand Final at Old Trafford are available. Nick Scruton is the other player named in the 18-man squad.
The groundstaff have covered the pitch to make sure the playing surface is not affected by the adverse weather conditions predicted on Friday night.
Leeds Rhinos squad: Webb, Donald, Toopi, Senior, Smith, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Diskin, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Ellis, Sinfield, Lauitiiti, Bailey, Scruton, Kirke, Ablett
Hull Kingston Rovers squad: Briscoe, Fox, Walker, J. Webster, Fitzhenry, Gene, J. Webster, Vella, Menzies, Mills, Chester, Newton, Galea, Murrell, Aizue, Crossman, Cockayne, K. Netherton