Super League Preview: Wakefield v Leeds

James Gordon

Wakefield welcome back forwards Justin Poore and Ali Lauitiiti for Friday’s clash against Leeds at the Rapid Solicitors Stadium.

Poore squares up against Ryan Bailey for the first time since the incident on Boxing Day that saw the former State of Origin prop sent off on his Wildcats debut.

Lauitiiti will line up against his former club on home soil for the first time since leaving the Rhinos at the end of 2011.

Leeds, looking to follow up last weekend’s win over Wigan, are unchanged.

They had nine players at the England training camp during the week, while Zak Hardaker and Ben Jones-Bishop are also nearing fitness following their respective long-term injuries.

The Rhinos are yet to record back-to-back victories this season.

Wakefield 19-man squad: Mathers, Fox, Collis, Lyne, Cockayne, Sykes, Wood, Poore, Aiton, Wilkes, Lauitiiti, Mellars, Washbrook, L Smith, Annakin, Amor, Mariano, Trout, Wildie.

Leeds 19-man squad: Watkins, Moon, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, McShane, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Ablett, Sinfield, Ward, Delaney, Bailey, Kirke, Clarkson, Achurch, Moore, Vickery.

Prediction: The Wildcats always raise their game against the Rhinos, who won’t have it all their own way – away win.

Stats:

Leeds’ Kevin Sinfield has scored points in the Rhinos’ last ten meetings with Wakefield – a streak which started in his sides’ 32-30 away win on 10 July, 2009.

Super League summary:

Wakefield won 5
Leeds won 29 (includes win in 2012 play-offs)
Wakefield highest score: 44-28 (A, 2005) (Widest margin: 38-18, H, 2012)
Leeds highest score: 70-6 (A, 2005) (also widest margin)