Friday night sees a third meeting this season between Trinity and the Rhinos, as both sides are desperate to take the two points on offer from this Yorkshire derby.
Trinity head into this game on the back of a hefty Quarter Final loss to table-topping St Helens, despite collective team efforts, and will be aiming to regather momentum and return to their winning ways in the Super League.
Leeds, on the other hand, have had a week to freshen up and more time to prepare for Friday’s fixture, with their Challenge Cup run ending in the sixth round, as they lost out to Bradford Bulls.
With both teams’ focus and concentration shifting to the league, Friday is being perceived as a big game;with a lot of stake for both sides’ 2019 ambitions. We can therefore expect a tough and competitive encounter.
Trinity
As Trinity exited the Challenge Cup last weekend, their focus now turns to qualifying for the Super League play-offs. To do this, Trinity must ensure a top five spot, and Friday night gives Trinity the perfect opportunity to regain form, after disappointing losses against London Broncos and Catalans Dragons in recent weeks.
Chris Chester has made two changes to his side from last week’s loss to current high-fliers St Helens, and is hoping to secure a win on Friday evening, which could be pivotal for the remainder of Trinity’s season.
Both Danny Kirmond and Mason-Caton Brown are ruled out due to injury, but the Big Bopper David Fifita is already back in contention, and raring to go. Junior Sa’u also comes into the team, after missing out on the cup tie, while youngster Jack Croft retains his place due to an incredible debut last weekend, in which he scored Trinity’s first try of the match.
Rhinos
The Rhinos currently occupy tenth place in the Betfred Super League, moving away from joint bottom after their narrow 24-22 win over London Broncos. As points are so close at the lower end of the table, the Rhinos will by no means be feeling comfortable just yet – with their Super League safety still at risk.
Leeds trio Ferres, Hurrell and Lolohea all return from injury for this local derby, and have been named in head coach Richard Agar’s 19-man squad. Hooker Matt Parcell misses out through suspension however, and the Rhinos will be without Nathaniel Peteru, but Agar has included Ashton Golding in the initial 19.
The ones to watch out for on the Rhinos team include Richie Myler and Tui Lolohea’s dangerous half-back pairing, wingers Tom Briscoe and Ash Handley with their speed and spectacular finishes, as well as former NRL star Trent Merrin. Another player to look out for is recent signing and former Cronulla Sharks player Ava Seumanufagai, and influential playmakers in Adam Cuthbertson and Liam Sutcliffe.
Previous meetings
Trinity have already met with the Rhinos twice this season, emerging victorious, 35-18 away, and 26-24 at home on Easter Monday. In 2018, Trinity faced Leeds twice in the regular season, clinching a draw away at Headingley, but agonisingly losing 26-28 at home.
But this shows that Trinity are capable of pushing the previous Champions, for while Trinity claimed 5thspot in the table last year, Leeds found themselves battling it out in the Qualifiers. A thrilling 38-6 win was also registered against the Rhinos in the 2017 Super 8s, as Leeds then went on to become Grand Final winners.
After already achieving a league double over the Rhinos in 2019, Trinity will be aiming to make it three from three on Friday night.
Squads
Trinity (19-man squad) – Ashurst, Batchelor, Brough, Croft, Crowther, England, Fifita, Hampshire, Hirst, Jones-Bishop, Kershaw, King, Kopczak, Lyne, Miller, Randell, Sa’u, Tanginoa, Wood.
Leeds (19-man squad) – Briscoe, Cuthbertson, Donaldson, Dwyer, Ferres, Golding, Handley, Hurrell, Lolohea, Merrin, Myler, Newman, Oledzki, Seumanufagai, Singleton, Smith, Sutcliffe, Walker, Watkins.