Going into today’s game against Hull FC, Leeds Rhinos coach Rohan Smith had an interesting conundrum at fullback.
Jack Walker’s return to the squad gave him three options to pick from at fullback with Zak Hardaker starring there recently and Richie Myler an established threat in the role especially looking back at last year’s win away at Hull FC when he scored a superb try.
Furthermore, there was a suggestion that Hardaker could move to centre following the suspension of Harry Newman and that is the way Smith has opted to go.
Hardaker played plenty of rugby at centre whilst at Wigan and won a Grand Final with Leeds at centre in 2011 even scoring against St Helens.
He made his second Leeds debut in the role at Salford but has played fullback since.
His move to the centres – joined by the returning Liam Sutcliffe on the left – sees Richie Myler start at fullback. There is no Jack Walker.
Blake Austin and Aidan Sezer remain in the halves whilst Rhyse Martin returns to the backrow.
Smith has gone for four forwards on the bench with Cameron Smith and Morgan Gannon both returning to the 17.
As speculation mounts around Brad Dwyer’s future he’s again left out. So, Jarrod O’Connor may figure at nine when he comes on should skipper Kruise Leeming require a rest.
Leeds Rhinos Head Coach Rohan Smith has named his side to face Hull FC this afternoon, kick off 3pm
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Leeds will be donning their ‘lucky’ pink kit today as well. The Rhinos have only worn it twice but won both games scoring plenty of points – an anomaly in terms of their performances this season.
