Leeds Rhinos v Hull KR latest team news and 21-man squads
Sixteen of the Leeds Rhinos team who beat Hull KR in Las Vegas four months ago are set to feature in this evening’s rematch.
Prop Mikolaj Oledzki was the only first-choice player on Rhinos’ casualty list when they powered to a 58-6 victory over the newly-crowned World Club champions in Betfred Super League round three - and Leeds are even healthier this time. Barring late injury drama, Oledzki’s inclusion in place of Ben Littlewood, who was a substitute at Allegiant Stadium, is likely to be the only change to Rhinos’ 17.
The single alteration expected to the side which won 34-6 at Warrington Wolves last week is Tom Holroyd’s return from a back injury, in place of Presley Cassell. Cassell remains in Rhinos’ 21, but is set to play for the reserves in a 5.15pm curtain-raiser against Wigan Warriors, alongside former NRL and State of Origin star Jack Bird.
Bird is fully fit following knee surgery, but coach Brad Arthur has confirmed Harry Newman will retain his first team place at right-centre. Winger Riley Lumb and prop Tom Nicholson-Watton are other members of Rhinos’ preliminary squad for Friday’s game which will be shown live on Sky Sports and refereed by Chris Kendall.
Winger Joe Burgess and prop Sam Luckley are the only players unavailable from the Hull KR side on duty in Vegas. They both suffered shoulder damage in last Friday’s defeat of Leigh Leopards and are replaced in Rovers’ 21 by outside-back Oliver Gildart - who returns following concussion - and front-rower Cobie Wainhouse.
Prop Tevita Pangai Jr has joined the Robins since the sides’ last meeting. Hull KR’s former Rhinos second-rower Rhyse Martin needs six goals to reach 500 in Super League.
Leeds Rhinos: from Miller, Sivo, Newman, Handley, Hall, Croft, Connor, Oledzki, O’Connor, Holroyd, Watkins, McDonnell, Palasia, Hankinson, Jenkins, Smith, Cassell, Lumb, Levi, Nicholson-Watton, Bird.
Hull KR’s squad is: Davies, Hiku, Gildart, Lewis, May, Sue, Litten, Amone, Hadley, Batchelor, Minchella, Broadbent, Whitbread, Martin, Lawton, Dezaria, Booth, Leyland, Wainhouse, Hampshire, Pangai Jr.
Referee: Chris Kendall (Huddersfield). Kick-off: Friday, 8pm.