SL preview: Huddersfield v Castleford (Sun)
Kyle Wood returns to the 19-man Huddersfield squad after being cup tied for the Tetley’s Challenge Quarter Final against Warrington Wolves.
Wood replaces the injured Shaun Lunt whilst Ben Blackmore comes in for Jermaine McGillvary on the wing.
Keith Mason is not in the Castleford squad after missing training this week to appear in court. Ironically for the Tigers forward it was Sunday’s opponents he went up against in the court room, as Mason won a case of unfair dismissal against the Giants.
Michael Channing could make his debut for Castleford as he features in the squad for the first time since his arrival on loan from London Broncos. Dan Fleming returns for the Tigers but Ryan Boyle meanwhile is serving a one-match suspension.
Head coach, Daryl Powell said has had this to say in the build up to Sunday’s game:
“We’ve got to go and play well and if we’re on our game then we’ll have a chance.
“Huddersfield have been going exceptionally well but they’ve been rattled a little bit over the last couple of weeks. They worked pretty hard to get a win against Hull late on and then Warrington set about them a little bit and got over the top of them so there will be a response; no doubt about that.”
Hudderfield 19-man squad: Grix, George, Cudjoe, Wardle, Brough, Robinson, Crabtree, Kopczak, Ferres, Faiumu, Lawrence, Patrick, Ta’ai, Murphy, Cording, Ferguson, Mullally, Blackmore, Wood.
Castleford 19-man squad: Owen, Carney, Shenton, Dixon, Chase, Ellis, Walker, Clark, Huby, Hauraki, Millington, Milner, Massey, Holmes, Thompson, Tansey, Fleming, Davies, Channing.
Prediction: Expect a fiery Yorkshire derby that will go down to the wire. Home win.
Stats:
Huddersfield have won their last three home meetings with Castleford, with the Tigers’ last away win against the Giants coming 13-6 on 19 June, 2009.
Super League summary:
Huddersfield won 11
Castleford won 19
Huddersfield highest score: 64-12 (H, 2008) (also widest margin)
Castleford highest score: 52-6 (H, 2012) (also widest margin)