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The play-off spaces are up for grabs and as the Super League season intensifies, this is a crucial game for Rohan Smith and Danny McGuire’s men to set a stepping stone for the reminding five fixtures.
This is the first time Leeds legend Danny McGuire is playing against his former side as a head coach with the 39-year-old being assistant to the departed Tony Smith for about three years before he left the club just a month ago. Since stepping in for Smith, he has guided his side to four out of five victories and with the injury crisis they have been up against the last couple of weeks, that is a remarkable effort.
Rohan Smith is another coach who has recently got a first-team head coach role after the sacking of Richard Agar back in April. Jamie Jones-Buchanan took charge for a couple of weeks as the club was trying to find Richard’s successor and they found Rohan Smith weeks later who has won seven games since arriving and has lost just four,
The last time out for Hull KR was when McGuire’s side took on a Toulouse whilst desperate for a win. An early try by Elliot Minchella was enough for the Robins to get the two points that they needed to stay in the fight for the play-off spaces in September.
Leeds was also victorious last weekend when they took on a Salford team that has sprung to light in the last couple of months under new coach Paul Rowley. Harry Newman, Richie Myler, and Rhyse Martin struck in the first half, before they held off a Salford comeback as they moved into the play-off places for the first time this season.
Hull KR have been doing it tough lately with the Robins having injury after injury to key players and them barely being able to name a 17-man squad. But Danny McGuire’s side welcomes back a handful of players to strengthen their chances to get the top 6. Kane Linnett, Ryan Hall, and Mikey Lewis all coming back into the fold to add that experience to the side that the red and whites need.
Leeds have lost three players to suspension from last Sunday’s team that defeated Salford Red Devils. Aidan Sezer and Rhyse Martin will serve their one-match ban this week whilst David Fusitu’a will begin his two-game suspension. Matt Prior will complete his two-game suspension this week. Jack Sinfield, Muizz Mustapha, Corey Johnson, and Liam Tindall come into the squad with Blake Austin also included as he looks to return from injury.
Players to watch:
When you think of the name Harry Newman, you automatically think superstar. His sheer brilliance and Rugby phenomena are something that would blow your mind just watching him. Having missed half of the season due to injury, he has come back in even better form than he was previously and is surely in contention for that number three England shirt for the World Cup.
The 22-year-old star has played just six games this season but has scored four tries since coming back into the fold and running over 591 meters. The centre has also made 28 tackle busts and has an average gain of 8.95.
For Hull KR I have chosen Elliot Minchella. The 26-year-old who played for Leeds in the years off 2013-2015 will be making his return in rip-roaring form. The underrated loose-forward joined the Rovers in 2020 and has been one of the key successes for the Rovers and helped the team to where they are today.
The Bradford-born player has been a formidable face in the Hull KR side this year with the loose-forward playing over 22 games so far this season in the league and has crossed the line four times to score for the Robins.
Squad News:
Leeds Rhinos 19-man squad: Harry Newman, Liam Sutcliffe, Ash Handley, Blake Austin, Mikolaj Oledzki, James Bentley, Zane Tetevano, Brad Dywer, Richie Myler, Cameron Smith, Bodene Thompson, Morgan Gannon, Sam Walters, Jarrod O’Connor, Corey Johnson, Muizz Mustapha, Liam Tindall, Jack Sinfield, Zak Hardaker.
Hull KR 21-man squad: Ben Crooks, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Ryan Hall, Matt Parcell, George King, Kane Linnett, Matty Storton, Jez Litten, Elliot Minchella, Jimmy Keinhorst, Mikey Lewis, Rowan Milnes, Ethan Ryan, Will Maher, Ethan Ryan, Sam Wood, Greg Richards, Frankie Halton, Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e, Zach Fishwish, Connor Barley.
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