Wigan Warriors know that they can return top of the Super League with a win over Leeds Rhinos today at Headingley. Matt Peet’s side are level on points with leaders Hull KR so even a point would return them to the summit.
Hull KR’s 36-6 win over Castleford Tigers last night saw them reclaim top spot but it will be a short reign as leaders if today goes as expected with Wigan Warriors heavily fancied to defeat an injury-hit Leeds Rhinos side.
As for Leeds Rhinos, they know that they need to find points quickly as they’re running out of games. They sit six points shy of the playoffs with just seven games remaining of the regular season.
Failure to make the top six would mark the second consecutive season without playoff rugby league for the club, a huge failure given the investment that has been poured in.
Wigan seem to have got over their brief lull but they will be playing their third game in ten days which could offer Leeds hope. Below is the team news for the pair’s first meeting in 2024.
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Leeds Rhinos Team News
Credit: Imago Images
Leeds Rhinos will be without captain Cam Smith who picked up a ban for a high shot in last week’s loss to Salford. Head coach Brad Arthur has confirmed that Matt Frawley will lead the team in Smith’s absence with Jarrod O’Connor set to step in at loose forward.
The Rhinos will also be without key players Mikolaj Oledzki and Ash Handley with Oledzki suffering from broken ribs and set to be sidelined for up to a month, whilst Handley could need work on his wrist.
It means a debut for Ben Littlewood whilst Justin Sangare and Sam Lisone will lead the forward pack. David Fusitu’a looks set to return but the likes of Riley Lumb and Morgan Gannon remain out.
Brad Arthur has made three changes to his 21 man squad for this Saturday’s clash with Wigan Warriors at AMT Headingley, kick off 3pm
🤝 In partnership with @NuffieldHealth— Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) August 8, 2024
Wigan Warriors Team News
Credit: Imago Images
There was some concern when Jai Field did not play on Tuesday but Matt Peet has since confirmed that it was always the plan for the full-back to miss one game of the three in this quick turnaround.
There is little other change in Matt Peet’s side with stars Bevan French, Brad O’Neill, Willie Isa and Mike Cooper still remaining out but Kruise Leeming looks good to go again after his recent return. The former Rhinos captain will face his former club for the first time since his departure in 2023.
📋 𝙎𝙦𝙪𝙖𝙙 𝙉𝙚𝙬𝙨
Matt Peet has selected his 21-player squad for Saturday’s visit to Leeds Rhinos.
Full squad news 👉 https://t.co/fBFqUd3e5q#WWRL #SLLEEWIG pic.twitter.com/KCVeAuxuE2
— Wigan Warriors 🍒⚪️ (@WiganWarriorsRL) August 8, 2024
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