Super League: Wakefield Wildcats v Leeds Rhinos preview
Last Updated: 03/07/14 12:10pm
Leeds Rhinos go in search of their third victory of the season against Wakefield Wildcats in Friday’s televised game at the Rapid Solicitors Stadium live on Sky.
The Rhinos eliminated the Wildcats from the Tetley’s Challenge Cup with an emphatic 60-6 romp away from home and followed it up with a 44-6 success in Super League action the following week in March.
However, Brian McDermott’s Rhinos will face a galvanised Wakefield side on Friday who are unbeaten in three outings since James Webster took control of first-team affairs.
Leeds were fortunate to secure the points last time out with a slender 31-30 triumph over Catalan while Wakefield were denied by Kirk Yeaman’s last-gasp try as Hull FC secured a share of the spoils.
McDermott is set to welcome back captain Kevin Sinfield after he missed last Sunday’s dramatic victory over the Dragons.
The Rhinos will be without Carl Ablett (shoulder) and Mitch Achurch (groin) who both picked up injuries in Sunday's dramatic win. They join Ian Kirke (concussion), Jamie Jones-Buchanan (calf), Chris Clarkson (Achilles), Rob Burrow (collar bone) and Zak Hardaker (suspension) on the sidelines.
McDermott has recalled youngsters Robbie Ward and Elliot Minchella to the squad whilst Luke Briscoe could feature against the team he played for on loan at the start of the current season.
Wakefield’s new head coach Webster has made two changes to his 19-man squad to face the Rhinos.
Captain Danny Kirmond misses out with an ankle injury picked up in the closing stages against Hull FC with Lucas Walshaw the other man to make way from the squad named ahead of the clash with the Black and Whites.
They are replaced by Max Jowitt and Jimmy Keinhorst, the Leeds loanee looking to add to two fleeting appearances earlier in the season after being troubled by a persistent hamstring problem.
Wakefield Wildcats: Mathers, Riley, D. Smith, Keinhorst, Sykes, Godinet, Anderson, McShane, Gilmour, Jowitt, Washbrook, Ryan, Owen, Moore, T. Smith, Tautai, Lyne, Scruton, Raleigh.
Leeds Rhinos: Jones-Bishop, Watkins, Moon, Hall, McGuire, Leuluai, Aiton, Peacock, Sinfield, S. Ward, Delaney, Bailey, T. Briscoe, Sutcliffe, Singleton, Minchella, Walters, R. Ward, L. Briscoe.
Don't miss any of the action from the Rapid Solicitors Stadium on Friday as Wakefield Wildcats host Leeds Rhinos on Sky Sports 1 from 7.30pm