Leeds Rhinos look for back-to-back wins in all-Yorkshire affair

Leeds Rhinos take on Wakefield Trinity this Friday night, with both clubs looking to kick their season up a gear.

Leeds come into the game off the back of a huge result against St Helens last Friday, in a repeat of 2022’s Grand Final, as they secured their first win over the Saints since 2018 with Blake Austin’s last gasp drop goal.

The win over St Helens was a massive confidence boost for the Headingley outfit, who had lost both of their previous matches this season. The performance will have pleased coach Rohan Smith, with big guns Rhyse Martin, Blake Austin, Aidan Sezer and Richie Myler all having big impacts after underperforming in the opening two rounds.

Against St Helens, Rhinos thrived when playing from deep. This style of attacking, unconventional rugby will really help unpick Wakefield, as it allows the combination of new signing Nene MacDonald and Ash Handley to flourish, utilising their speed and mazy running to its full potential.

The work of David Fusitu’a and Derrell Olpherts on the wings makes this attacking style even more threatening, and could put the Rhinos in a good position to take the two points on Friday.

Wakefield come to Headingley off the back of three loses in a row, and will be hoping to avoid a fourth. They’ve had a tough run of fixtures so far, facing three of last season’s top six, and take on another in round four.

They’ve performed admirably so far, pushing both Catalans and Huddersfield close at home, but were on the end of a 60-0 thrashing away to Wigan in round two.

The defensive performance against Huddersfield will have pleased the Belle Vue faithful. Huddersfield were held up twice over the line, and it took until the 57^th minute for them to finally unlock the Trinity defence. In round one, they also showed their skills in defence, especially around the goal line.

Their defence will need to be of a similar standard this week, however they need to improve in attack if they are to beat the Rhinos.

Wakefield have shown they can score tries this season, notching up 24 points against Catalans in round one, but have failed to register any points in rounds two and three and this will cause concern ahead of their visit to Headingley.

They have the players to do it too, with Corey Hill, Lee Gaskell and Mason Lino all capable of causing the Rhinos defence problems. Wakefield also need to utilise the strong carrying of Jai Whitbread,  Renouf Atoni and Eddie Battye through the middle, as Leeds have struggled stopping big ball carriers this season.

In team news, Rhinos welcome back Corey Johnson and Harry Newman to the 21-man squad for their first involvement this season. James Bentley is also named again in the match-day team, and could be involved this week. Luis Roberts and Leon Ruan also return to the squad after their omission last week.

Sam Walters is named in the team after he avoided a ban following his shoulder charge against St Helens. Rohan Smith’s side will be without Kruise Leeming for the foreseeable after he picked up an injury last week.

For Wakefield, they will be without star winger Lewis Murphy as it was announced on Tuesday he will miss the rest of the season with an ACL injury. However they have named Reece Lyne and Tom Lineham in their squad for Friday night’s clash. Wakefield have also named key players Mason Lino, Samisoni Langi and Kevin Proctor in the team, who will be all looking to carry on their good form this week against Leeds.

21-man squads

Leeds Rhinos: 1. Richie Myler, 2. David Fusitu’a, 3. Harry Newman, 4. Nene MacDonald, 5. Ash Handley, 6. Blake Austin, 7. Aidan Sezer, 10. Zane Tetevano, 11. James Bentley, 12. Rhyse Martin, 13. Cameron Smith, 14. Jarrod O’Connor, 15. Sam Lisone, 16. Derrell Olpherts, 18. Tom Holroyd, 19. James McDonnell, 22. Sam Walters, 24. Luis Roberts, 25. James Donaldson, 26. Corey Johnson, 31. Leon Ruan.

Wakefield Trinity: 2. Jorge Taufua, 3. Corey Hill, 4. Reece Lyne, 5. Tom Lineham, 6. Lee Gaskell, 7. Mason Lino, 8. Eddie Battye, 9. Liam Hood, 10. Jai Whitbread, 11. Matty Ashurst, 13. Jay Pitts, 14. Jordy Crowther, 15. Liam Kay, 17. Renouf Atoni, 18. Lee Kershaw, 19. Kevin Proctor, 20. Morgan Smith, 21. Samisoni Langi, 22. Rob Butler, 25. Sam Eseh, 26. Dane Windrow.

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