It’s that time again, no team news yet, so lets have a look at the match officials.


Super League

WAKEFIELD TRINITY V LEEDS RHINOS
Saturday 27th March
Emerald Headingley Stadium | KO : 15:00

Referee S. Mikalauskas
Touch Judge 1 G. Jones
Touch Judge 2 J. Vella
Reserve Referee A. Moore
Reserve Touch Judge D. Bowmer
Video Referee B. Thaler
M Com S. Williams
Time Keeper S. Marshall

Defo gonna lose. He hates us. I’ve heard him in a pub say he always gives penalties against us deliberately

Lino playing

Is that a question or a statement ?

Statement. From pre match press conference.

It`s ok.
Thaler will level it up if it goes to the VR

If we go in thinking the ref will beat us then we deserve to lose - although I think you said it in jest!

You found an open pub ?????

He said it ages ago FIL!

Mason Lino and Fifita confirmed as fit and will be playing against Leeds. That’s great news.

Hopefully Jowitt will make the game too though we do have an option in Walker if not. Really looking forward to this game.

The close season has seemed longer than ever and it will be great seeing the boys getting stuck into Leeds, even though we cant be there.

Cant wait.

Come on Trin !

Mason - have we resigned him ?

So how do we think we will start for game 1?

Jowitt if fit otherwise Walker.
Johnstone
Tupou
Lyne
Kay
Miller
Lino
Fifita
W
k Wood
Arona
Ashurst
Tanginoa
Westerman

Battye
J Wood
Pitts
Green

Jowitt, Battye and K Wood all out.

Can't argue with that, maybe if fit I'd prefer Hampshire on the wing, though not his premium position he's such a good player I'd like him on. Also think I'd prefer Senior to Kay.

Think that pretty much would be my team although would probably start j wood and bring on k wood for impact , possibly senior in front of Kaye

Where have you got that from, I can't see it?

Wakefield Express

Dont think you will be far off there although, Crowther would be unlucky to miss out.
His defence was superb last season and he can drop in at 9 if we need to spell Wood (either of them).
He was one of our better and more consistent players last season

Sounds like k wood is injured

Tbh don’t really get the whole crowther as a defensive hooker we already have probably the best defensive hooker in sl with j wood. Who also makes a few decent breaks

If we are going to play someone as an interchange hooker then they have to be able to bring a change to the game play. If we are going to have another hooker them personally would give Brad walker a chance in the role

With K.Wood, Battye and a Jowitt all out it makes selection quite straight forward imo.

I think we will see something like this based on end of last season form and the Dewsbury run. I thought that Lyne and Senior linked well so I’d run with that. Batch was making breaks and looked fit and strong being the best forward on pitch at Dewsbury. This team has more than enough quality and steel to do the job imo.

A little harsh on Ashurst but I think Tanginoa and Batch have earned the starting shirts on last seasons run in and the Dewsbury game. He could take Walkers spot on the bench easily though.

Hampshire
Johnstone
Tupou
Lyne
Senior
Miller
Lino
Fifita
Crowther
Arona
Tanginoa
Batchelor
Westerman

J.Wood
Green
Tangata
B.Walker

For me, when you look at someone slotting in at hooker, the 2 key fundamentals you need is being confident and used to defending down the middle and a decent distribution both of which we know of Crowther can.

I would go with the same but Drop Batch to bench in Walkers place and start with Ashurst in the second row.

Although if Hampshire is fit to play (Which seems to be the case) I would be tempted to try find a spot for him.

Hampshire to FB if fit.

Walker is OK but IMO Hampshire is far better.