Wakefield v Harlequins: Team news
Wakefield meet Harlequins on Sunday in a Super League 'four-pointer'.
By Andy Clarke
Last Updated: 11/08/07 12:11pm
Wakefield v Harlequins
Belle Vue
Sunday August 12, KO 7pm
Wakefield go into their Super League clash with Harlequins at Belle Vue on Sunday missing hooker Tevita Leo-Latu, who begins a six-match ban for racially abusing Warrington's Kevin Penny.
The Wildcats are also without hooker Sam Obst (ankle) and back Luke George (concussion) through injuries picked up at Bradford last weekend.
Ricky Bibey, Paul March and David March come into the squad for a match coach John Kear describes as a 'four-pointer', with Wakefield seventh and Quins just behind them in eighth place.
"I am not saying it's a must-win, but it is a definite four-pointer, because it posts two points for you and takes two points off one of your main competitors," Kear said.
"It is a very big game for both teams and we're delighted we're at home for it.
"I'm looking for an improved performance, very much so. We felt we set some very high standards in July and we felt we let ourselves down against Bradford.
"The players are aware of it, we're aware of it on the coaching side and we've worked hard this week to try and address that situation."
Harlequins coach Brian McDermott selects from the 17 players who were on duty for last weekend's defeat to Leeds, plus Tony Clubb, Mike Worrincy and Stephen Bannister.
McDermott is still without first team regulars Chris Melling, David Mills and Daniel Heckenburg through injury.
The Wakefield-born coach knows to expect a tough match from his hometown club.
"They are a big pack, very forward orientated, with a lot of enthusiam," he said. "There are certain parts to their game which we will have to keep an eye on, but I want to concentrate on playing our own game.
"The boys have worked hard this week, which has been a consistent thing all year, regardless of the outcome."
Wakefield Wildcats squad: Demetriou, Atkins, Rooney, Jeffries, Watene, Catic, MacGillivray, Ferres, P. March, D. March, Bibey, Henderson, Elima, Blaymire, Fox, Ferguson, Moore, White, Gleeson, Greseque. Harlequins RL squad: Bannister, Clubb, Gafa, Grayshon, Hill, Hopkins, Mbu, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, McLinden, Orr, Paul, Purdham, Randall, Rinaldi, R. Sheriffe, T. Smith, Sykes, Temata, Wells, Worrincy.