SL Preview: Wakefield v Hull KR

Michael Dobson is close to moving into 9th place in both all-time Super League lists for goals and points, ahead of Hull KR‘s trip to Wakefield on Saturday.

Dobson will jump above Steve McNamara (514 goals) if he lands two goals in the televised clash, while he needs four points to jump above Danny Orr (1,259) in the points list.

The Australian half-back also boasts the current longest scoring streak in Super League, having registered points in the Robins’ last 26 games.

Wakefield won the last meeting between these two sides, back in August, when Paul Sykes‘ drop goal secured a 31-30 win which ultimately helped steer the Wildcats to a play-off finish.

They are hoping to welcome back Australian half-back Tim Smith, who sat out the opening day defeat to Bradford with an ankle injury.

The injury hit Robins will give a debut to Dale Ferguson, signed on loan from Huddersfield this week, while Greg Eden is also set to make his bow for the red and whites.

Wakefield 19-man squad: Mathers, Fox, Collis, Cockayne, Sykes, T Smith, Poore, Aiton, Raleigh, Lauitiiti, Kirmond, Washbrook, Wood, Amor, Wilkes, Mariano, Mellars, Lyne, Annakin

Hull KR 19-man squad: Salter, Caro, Ferguson, Horne, Walker, Paterson, Mika, Tuimavave, Cox, Griffin, J Hodgson, Paea, Carlile, Hall, Dobson, D Hodgson, Eden, Latus, Withers

Prediction: Both teams will be looking to bounce back from opening day defeats, but home advantage should just about see Wakefield home – home win.

Stats:

Hull KR‘s Michael Dobson has scored points in the Robins’ last eight meetings with Wakefield, last failing to score against the Wildcats in a 26-18 home defeat on 21 June, 2008.

Last 10 meetings:

Hull KR 30, Wakefield 31 (SLR25, 19/8/12)
Wakefield 10, Hull KR 22 (SLR2, 12/2/12)
Hull KR 70, Wakefield 14 (SLR20, 3/7/11)
Wakefield 26, Hull KR 24 (SLR13, 1/5/11)
Wakefield 14, Hull KR 46 (SLR20, 4/7/10)
Hull KR 18, Wakefield 31 (SLR6, 12/3/10)
Wakefield 24, Hull KR 10 (SLR27, 12/9/09)
Hull KR 31, Wakefield 18 (SLR4, 8/3/09)
Hull KR 18, Wakefield 26 (SLR18, 21/6/08)
Wakefield 22, Hull KR 20 (SLR5, 9/3/08)

Super League summary:

Wakefield won 7
Hull KR won 5
Wakefield highest score. 31-18 (A, 2010), 31-30 (A, 2012) (Widest margin. 30-15, H, 2007)
Hull KR highest score. 70-14 (H, 2011) (also widest margin)