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2018 Super League – Leeds Rhinos vs Hull KR Preview

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AT A GLANCE

When? Thursday 8th February, 19:45

Where? Elland Road

What channel is it on? Sky Sports Arena

Where can I stream the match? Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match online via Sky Go

Are tickets still available? https://tickets.therhinos.co.u...

THE LOWDOWN

LEEDS RHINOS

Head Coach: Brian McDermott

Squad: Ablett, Briscoe, Cuthbertson, Delaney, Dwyer, Garbutt, Golding, Hall, Jones-Buchanan, Moon, Mullally, Myler, Ormondroyd, Parcell, Peteru, Singleton, Sutcliffe, Walker, Ward, Watkins

Unavailable: Brett Ferres, Keith Galloway, Nathaniel Peteru

  • Leeds earned a hard-fought win over Warrington Wolves last week to get the defence of their title off to the perfect start. The Rhinos held on to claim a 12-16 win despite some late pressure from the Wolves.
  • Brian McDermott is able to recall Stevie Ward after the influential back-rower missed the opening game of the season following shoulder surgery. However, new signing Nathaniel Peteru suffered a torn bicep on his debut and misses out.
  • Leeds have won their last seven home Super League games but with this the first of two home games that they’re taking to Elland Road, it will be interesting to see if the Rhinos can maintain that record whilst not playing at Headingley.

HULL KR

Head Coach: Tim Sheens

Squad: Atkin, Blair, Carney, Clarkson, Greenwood, Hefferenan, Jewitt, Kavanagh, Lee, Lunt, Marsh, Masoe, McGuire, Minns, Mulhern, Quinlan, Salter, Shaw, Walne

Unavailable: Nick Scruton, George Lawler, Danny Addy, Josh Johnson, James Donaldson

  • Hull KR were soundly beaten by Wakefield Trinity in their first game back in Super League with the home side going down by 28 points to six.
  • Head coach Tim Sheens has named an unchanged 19-man squad from that defeat but has hinted there will be changes to the side with Chris Atkin likely to replace Matty Marsh in the halves.
  • Rovers’ return to Super League doesn’t look like getting any easier as they come up against a side that they have been defeated by 11 times out of the last 13 games in all competitions.

KEY STATS

  • Leeds Rhinos have won their last 7 home Super League matches
  • Leeds Rhinos have won 11 of the last 13 meetings between the two sides in all competitions
  • There has been a total of 296 points scored in the last 6 meetings between the two sides in all competitions at an average of 49.3 per game
  • There has been a total of 53 tries scored in the last 6 meetings between the two sides in all competitions at an average of 8.8 per game
  • Leeds Rhinos have scored the first try in their last 7 Super League matches

THE PREDICTION

After a rude-awakening on their Super League comeback, the last thing that Hull KR need is a trip to the current champions, Leeds Rhinos. Leeds have dominated recent fixtures between the two sides and even though they’re not able to face Hull KR on home soil due to ongoing redevelopment work at Headingley, the Rhinos are likely to pile more early-season misery on Rovers.

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