Rhinos v Wildcats: Teams
Hooker Danny Buderus looks set to make his debut for Leeds on Friday night when the Rhinos host Wakefield.
Last Updated: 12/02/09 11:49am
Danny Buderus looks set to make his debut for Leeds on Friday night when the Rhinos take on Wakefield at Headingley Carnegie.
The former Australia captain has been sidelined since tearing a bicep last August while playing for NRL outift Newcastle Knights.
Buderus missed out on featuring for his new employers last week when they started the defence of their Super League crown with a 28-6 win over Celtic Crusaders.
However, the hooker's rehabilitation is ahead of schedule and he has been included in coach Brian McClennan's 19-man squad to face the Wildcats.
Lucky
"All my thoughts have been about playing for Leeds Rhinos and I can't wait for Friday night now," said Buderus, who signed a two-year deal with the Rhinos.
"I was lucky that the injury coincided with the off season so the six months has not seemed too long.
"I am looking forward to playing in a new competition as well, having spent 14 years at the Knights and in the NRL.
"The coaching staff have been great with explaining what is expected from me. I have been doing a lot of listening in training and watching a lot of games. I am excited about the challenge."
Keith Senior, Brent Webb and Rob Burrow are all missing through injury for the defending champions.
Shocking success
Wakefield make the short trip to their Yorkshire rivals looking to pull off a second successive upset at the start of the new season.
The Wildcats produced a stunning result at Wigan last Sunday, recording a 12-6 triumph at the JJB Stadium thanks to two tries from debutant Dave Halley.
The victory was even more impressive considering the fact coach John Kear was without a number of first-teamers due to injury or illness.
Although the casualty list is still lengthy, Wakefield have received a boost with the news that Ryan Atkins is nearing a return to action.
The centre suffered a shoulder injury in pre-season but has been included in Kear's 19-man squad.
Richard Moore is missing after the club have revealed that the prop is suffering from Crohn's disease, though they insist his career is not over.
Leeds squad: Donald, Smith, Hall, McGuire, Leuluai, Buderus, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Lauitiiti, Sinfield, Diskin, Bailey, Kirke, Ablett, Burgess, Gibson, Allan, Watkins, Manning.
Wakefield squad: Blaymire, Blanch, Martin, Atkins, Demetriou, Drew, Snitch, Wiles, Grix, Obst , Stosic, Bibey, Henderson, Gleeson, Halley, Ferguson, Bibb, Pitts, Blake.