Rhinos v Sea Eagles: Teams
Leeds coach Brian McClennan will not name his starting line-up for Sunday's World Club Challenge until an hour before kick-off.
Last Updated: 27/02/09 5:29pm
Leeds coach Brian McClennan will not name his starting line-up for Sunday's World Club Challenge against Manly Sea Eagles until an hour before kick-off.
The Rhinos have been beset by a raft of injuries in the early part of the season, although only full-back Brent Webb and hooker Danny Buderus have definitely been ruled out at this stage.
Leeds were boosted on Friday by the news that prop forward Ryan Bailey has been cleared to play at Elland Road
Bailey was concussed during Leeds' 19-10 Super League win over Hull KR last Friday but has been given the go-ahead by the club's medical staff to face the Australian champions at Elland Road.
As expected, scrum-half Rob Burrow has also been included in the initial 19-man squad, but whether he overcomes a back problem to play his first match since England's World Cup semi-final defeat by New Zealand nearly four months ago will only be revealed just before kick-off.
"We have had to monitor some other guys all this week and they have improved as the week has gone on," said McClennan. "We will announce our team one hour before kick-off to give the players as much time as possible to prove their fitness.
Important
"This is a very important fixture for us and we will not rush into making a decision."
If Burrow fails to make it, stand-off Danny McGuire is set to switch to scrum-half.
While McClennan plays his cards close to his chest, Manly coach Des Hasler showed his hand by naming his line-up three days in advance.
The Australian champions have included 13 of their NRL Grand Final winning players for the contest. Of the four missing players, centre Steve Bell and forwards Mark Bryant and Steve Menzies have joined Super League clubs while prop Brent Kite has remained in Australia on compassionate leave.
Jason King takes his place in the front row while George Rose makes his comeback from a double-fracture of the leg from the bench.
"George has worked really hard after his horrific injury and deserves his spot," Hasler said.
A positional change sees former St Helens centre Jamie Lyon revert to his normal position from stand-off, where ex-Newcastle Knights player Chris Bailey - younger brother of Wigan centre Phil - will make his debut.
The side includes winger Michael Robertson, who scored a hat-trick of tries in the Sea Eagles' 40-0 win over Melbourne in October and went on to play for Scotland in the World Cup.
Rhinos squad: Donald, Smith, Senior, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Lauitiiti, Sinfield (capt), Diskin, Bailey, Kirke, Ablett, Burgess, Gibson, Watkins, McShane.
Sea Eagles team: B Stewart; Robertson, Lyon, Matai, Williams; Bailey, Orford (capt); King, Ballin, Perry, Watmough, Hall, G Stewart. Subs (from): L'Estrange, Cuthbertson, Rose, Rodney, Waerea-Hargreaves.