SL Preview: Leeds v Wigan
Leeds head into this game with something of a cloud hanging over full-back Zak Hardaker, following his involvement in an incident of assault.
The England full-back is included in the squad, however, while Andy Yates replaces Kyle Leuluai, and Liam Sutcliffe comes in for Brad Walters.
Wigan are without prop Ryan Sutton, who has suffered concussion for the second time this season.
Ryan Hampshire, Logan Tomkins and Connor Farrell are also included in Wigan’s squad for the game.
Prediction: Leeds look impressive this season, while Wigan are still stuttering when it comes to finding some dominant form. The home side should win by at least 10 points.
Leeds Rhinos (19-man squad): Hardaker, Briscoe, Watkins, Moon, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Aiton, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Ablett, Sinfield, Ward, Delaney, Cuthbertson, Sutcliffe, Singleton, Yates, Golding
Wigan Warriors (19-man squad): Bateman, Bowen, Burgess, Clubb, C Farrell, L Farrell, Gelling, Greenwood, Hampshire, Manfredi, McIlorum, Mossop, Patrick, Sarginson, Smith, Tautai, J Tomkins, L Tomkins, Williams.
Stats:
Kevin Sinfield needs three points to reach 4,000 for his career. Sinfield has scored 3,733 points (85 tries, 1,678 goals and 37 field goals) for Leeds since 1997. He has also scored representative points for Great Britain (44 – 2 tries & 18 goals – 2001-2003, 2005 & 2007) and England (220 – 5 tries & 100 goals – 2000-2001 & 2008-2013).
Sinfield also has the longest scoring streak amongst Super League players, having registered points in the Rhinos’ last ten matches. His run of consecutive scoring appearances began with three goals in Leeds’ 23-10 Challenge Cup Final win against Castleford at Wembley on 23 August, 2014.
Danny McGuire needs four tries to reach 250 for Leeds. McGuire’s total of 246 touchdowns has been reached in 351 games for the Rhinos since 2001. He has also landed five field goals for Leeds, leaving him eleven points short of a total 1,000 for the club.
Rob Burrow needs seven points to reach 1,000 for Leeds. Burrow’s total of 993 has been reached with 171 tries, 152 goals and 5 field goals in 413 games for the Rhinos since 2001.
Jamie Peacock needs one appearance to overtake former Leeds teammate KEITH SENIOR and move into third place in the list of all-time leaders for Super League games played.
Tom Briscoe is three tries away from 100 (83 for Hull FC, 2008-2013 and 14 for Leeds, 2014-2015)
Super League summary:
Leeds won 23 (includes wins in 2004, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2012 play-offs)
Wigan won 32 (includes win in 1998 Grand Final and wins in 1998, 2002, 2003, 2010 & 2013 play-offs)
4 draws
Leeds highest score: 70-0 (H, 2005) (also widest margin)
Wigan highest score: 68-14 (H, 1996) (also widest margin)
Last Ten Meetings:
Wigan 21, Leeds 6 (SLR26, 5/9/14)
Leeds 14, Wigan 18 (SLR13, 17/5/14) (at Etihad Stadium, Manchester)
Leeds 28, Wigan 12 (SLR11, 2/5/14)
Wigan 22, Leeds 12 (SLQSF, 27/9/13)
Wigan 6, Leeds 20 (SLR27, 5/9/13)
Leeds 16, Wigan 20 (SLR16, 26/5/13)(at Etihad Stadium, Manchester)
Leeds 18, Wigan 14 (SLR7, 15/3/13)
Wigan 12, Leeds 13 (SLQSF, 28/9/12)
Leeds 39, Wigan 28 (CCSF, 14/7/12) (at Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield)