Leeds Rhinos have been dealt a major blow ahead of their must-win Super League clash against Wigan Warriors.
Matt Peet’s side returned to the summit of Super League last week with a victory over Hull KR and they’re now in control of their own destiny as they pursue a second-straight League Leaders Shield.
They’ll need to beat a Leeds Rhinos side coming off a whopping 68-6 victory and who also happened to beat the Cherry and Whites in the team’s last meeting.
The Rhinos won 30-4 that day with Rhyse Martin putting in a Man of the Match performance before Wigan’s Harry Smith was sent off late on. Smith returned to action last week whilst Martin bid farewell to Headingley.
Both men have been named in their respective 21-man squads for Friday’s crucial meeting as Wigan Warriors look to place one hand on the League Leaders Shield, whilst Leeds fight for their play-off lives.
Wigan Warriors team news
Credit: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
It’s fairly simple for Matt Peet. If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it. He’s named an unchanged squad from the one he named ahead of the Hull KR victory and with no apparent injury concerns hailing from that game, it could well be an unchanged 17-man squad on Friday night.
Jai Field and Bevan French were electric for Wigan in that game and neither man played when Leeds managed to beat the Warriors in early August. It will be a vastly different side and they’ll be looking to avenge that defeat.
Kruise Leeming looks set to play against his former club whilst Liam Marshall is seeking his 150th try for Wigan Warriors, a week after being named to the England squad.
📋 𝙎𝙦𝙪𝙖𝙙 𝙉𝙚𝙬𝙨
Matt Peet and Denis Betts have named their 21-player squads for Friday night’s double-header against Leeds Rhinos!
Full squad news 👉 https://t.co/A2ttd5apk7@MatrixFitnessUK | #WWRL #SLWIGLEE pic.twitter.com/LnZdHUwytt
— Wigan Warriors 🍒⚪️ (@WiganWarriorsRL) September 11, 2024
Leeds Rhinos team news
Credit: Imago Images
The news is not as good for Leeds Rhinos though who will be without full-back Lachie Miller after the Australian suffered a hamstring strain in last week’s win against Hull FC.
It’s been confirmed by the club that Miller will be out for “at least two weeks” meaning that he will miss the remainder of the regular season and if the Rhinos cannot make the play-offs, then his first campaign for Leeds will be over.
He is replaced in the squad by Mickael Goudemand in the only change with the Frenchman returning to the fray.
Leeds Rhinos will be without full back Lachie Miller when they travel to Wigan Warriors this Friday, kick off 8pm.
🤝 In partnership with @NuffieldHealth— Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) September 11, 2024
