Leeds Rhinos v Bradford Bulls: latest Super League team news and squads
Number nine Jarrod O’Connor is set to play the full 80 minutes for Leeds Rhinos in today’s home derby against Bradford Bulls.
O’Connor missed the loss at Castleford Tigers through concussion, but has been given the all-clear to return and will replace Danny Levi who suffered a neck injury in last Sunday’s game. “Jarrod is back in,” coach Brad Arthur confirmed.
“I think we have done the right thing all year managing those two, mixing up who starts and who doesn’t and managing their minutes. They haven’t been punished, they aren’t exhausted and their bodies haven’t deteriorated because of load.
“Jarrod is probably excited; he has had a week off and they both want to be able to play 80 minutes every week. Jarrod will get an opportunity to get some good game time before Danny’s back.”
Tom Nicholson-Watton, better known as a prop, is poised to keep his place on the bench and will be back-up hooker if required. Arthur added: “He has done a little bit of work there and done a good job for us.
“Credit to him, he has been 18th man for us for a couple of weeks, hadn’t had a lot of footy and came out last week and played 50 straight in an unfamiliar position. The plan is Jarrod will play 80, but if needed Tom will go there.
“We have used him at times in a reserve grade match here and there and at training at times, just in case. He has always done a competent job there for us.”
Reserves hooker Joe Diskin, who the Yorkshire Evening Post understands has signed a new contract with Rhinos, has been ruled out of the rest of this season following shoulder surgery.
Winger Alfie Edgell and centre Jack Bird are set to play their second match after injury and Arthur reckons both will be better for last week’s game time. “Alfie didn’t get to play any reserve grade leading into last week and I thought he did a pretty good job,” he said.
“He will be definitely better for the run and he will be in a couple of weeks’ time as well. Jack was just a bit low on match fitness and should be better for it too.”
The coach also confirmed Jake Connor will continue with kicking duties. He is Betfred Super League’s top marksman this season, but landed only three of eight kicks in the two-point loss at Tigers. Arthur said: “He just had an off-day with the boot, sometimes that happens. Fortunately he has kicked more and owned more big moments for us than he has lost. We’ll give him a day off and get back into it this week.”
Leeds Rhinos: from Miller, Sivo, Newman, Croft, Connor, Oledzki, O’Connor, Holroyd, Watkins, McDonnell, Jenkins, Smith, Cassell, Edgell, Lumb, McCormack, Littlewood, Nicholson-Watton, McCormack, Bird, Lloyd.
Bradford Bulls: from Ackers, Aekins, Armitage, Atkin, Dean, Fulton, Gardiner, Hooley, Leake, Mellor, Nikorima, Ormondroyd, Peposhi, Ryan, Scurr, Steinwede, Sutton, Ward, Wynne.
Referee: Aaron Moore (Wigan). Kick-off: Sunday, 3pm.