Big Mac names the same ninteen that were in the mix for last fridays game against the Warriors. Apparently Lee Smith has more chance of making the seventeen this week but could still miss out alongside Singleton. We're still sporting an extensive injury list of players who would normally be the first names on the teamsheet and their return can't come quick enough.
We now know what this side can play like if they put their mind to it, what we don't know is whether we can maintain the 'good Rhinos' for a full eighty minutes. In most games so far this season we've shown patches of brilliance but the 'suicide rugby' tendancy is always just bubbling under the surface.
The ninteen is; Webb, Smith, Senior, Hall, Burrow, Leuluai, Buderus, Jones-Buchanan, Ablett, Sinfield, Cross, Bailey, Kirke, Watkins, Hauraki, Clarkson, Pitts, McShane, and Singleton. I expect to see the same seventeen figure as last week.
Justin Morgan has his own problems with his side lying twelfth out of fourteen. Although four points clear of both Wakefield and the Crusaders that is only due to their points deductions. He's shuffled his side again as he seeks success, dropping ex-Rhino Peter Fox after he had a nightmare last week. Craig Hall is also missing which means that the home side have no recognised goal kicker and will rely on Welham and/or Murrell with the boot. Another ex-Rhino Jason Netherton is also absent as he has been given a week off following the birth of his first child.
Rhinos fans will be relishing seeing Willie Mason in the flesh for the fist time this season and hoping that Bailey and Leuluai can spoil his afternoon. Morgans ninteen is; Colbon, Cook, Cockayne, Clinton, Fisher, Galea, Green, Hodgson, Latus, Lovegrove, Mason, Murrell, Sheriff, Taylor, Vella, Watts, Webster, Welham, and Wheeldon.
Three Robins to keep an eye on;
KR did the double over the Rhinos last season with a 25-06 win at Craven Park in July following a 17-10 win at Headingley in March. This, however, is a KR side that is struggling to find form so far this season with their only victories being on the opening day over neighbours FC and in round five against the Crusaders.
Leeds have won six out of the nine Superleague meetings between the two sides but there is no certainty that we'll improve on that statistic tomorrow.
Southstander.com Prediction
You may as well flip a coin as try and predict the outcome of a Rhinos game in 2011. It reminds me of the Doug Laughton days when you went to a match on a weekend not knowing whether we'd win by fifty or lose by the same margin. The Rhinos have lost any predictability and while it makes for a roller-coaster season I'd much rather know where we stand each week.
It looks like a nice day for tomorrow but perhaps notthe tropical barbecue weather that the forecasters were promising earlier in the week. Rain shouldn't be an issue though.
Take care getting to east coast and keep everything crossed that it is the 'good' Rhinos which show up for the game.
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