SL Preview: Huddersfield v Leeds (Sun)
Leeds Rhinos could give debuts to two more teenagers after 19-year-old Alex Foster and 17-year-old Elliot Minchella were both named in the 19 man squad to face high flying Huddersfield Giants this Sunday.
Foster was the Rhinos U18 Player of the Season two years ago and has been an ever present for the Rhinos U19 side so far this season, scoring ten tries in 17 appearances. Loose forward Minchella joined the Rhinos two years ago and has recently played for England Academy in their win over France.
The Rhinos are without Joel Moon through suspension and will also be without nine other first team players through injury. Kevin Sinfield (thumb), Ryan Bailey (thumb), Kallum Watkins (ankle), Kylie Leuluai (knee), Liam Hood (ankle), Joe Vickery (knee), Brett Delaney (knee), Stevie Ward (shoulder) and Danny McGuire (leg) are all currently out. Brad Singleton will face a late fitness test on a dead leg injury suffered in the Widnes victory last Monday.
Huddersfield meanwhile have named the same squad that lost out to Hull KR before the international break. Head Coach Paul Anderson will be hoping for a much better performance from the squad, and will be looking to Danny Brough, winner of May’s Rhino Super League Top Gun title, for yet more attacking brilliance.
Huddersfield 19-man squad: Scott Grix, Cudjoe, Wardle, McGillvary, Brough, Robinson, Crabtree, Lunt, Kopczak, Ferres, Faiumu, Lawrence, Patrick,Ta’ai, Murphy, Cording, Ferguson, Mullally, Dawson.
Leeds 19-man squad: Hardaker, Jones-Bishop, Hall, Burrow, McShane, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Ablett, Kirke, Clarkson, Achurch, Moore, Keinhorst, Singleton, Sutcliffe, Minns, Baldwinson, Foster, Minchella.
Prediction: Huddersfield to win a high-scoring game.
Stats:
Danny Brough has scored points in his last nine games against Leeds (seven for Huddersfield and two for Wakefield). His streak began in the Wildcats’ 32-30 home defeat by the Rhinos on 10 July, 2009.
Super League summary:
Leeds won 25 (includes win in 2011 play-offs)
Huddersfield won 6
Leeds highest score: 86-6 (H, 1999) (also widest margin)
Huddersfield highest score: 48-24 (H, 2012) (Widest margin: 38-6, A, 2011)