Rohan Smith reveals Mikolaj Oledzki’s chances of featuring against Hull KR

Leeds Rhinos travel to Craven Park to face Hull KR on Friday night in a big game with both sides coming off the back of a win.

Not only have both sides just found their winning form again, they both have the same record of three wins and three losses suggesting we can expect a close affair.

Rhinos had arguably the more impressive win when they handed Catalans Dragons their first defeat of the season at Headingley on Saturday at midday.

The win saw Rhinos come back from a a first half deficit and more importantly it was one of the best examples this season of their half-back partnership clicking.

Blake Austin took the game by the scruff of the neck in the second-half and helped guide Rhinos to a 32-22 victory, albeit it would have been a far greater margin had Rhyse Martin remembered his kicking boots.

Meanwhile the Rhinos opposition comes into this fixture on the back of a resounding win over Wakefield Trinity but Rohan Smith’s men should provide a far stiffer test.

Last week saw Harry Newman make his second appearance of the season and he capped it with a try but also a sin binning, whilst Jarrod O’Connor filled in brilliantly at hooker for Kruise Leeming who is reportedly intent on leaving Headingley.

Smith has named his 21-man squad and for the first time this season it features England international Mikolaj Oledzki who could feature against Rovers.

Speaking to the press today, Rohan Smith confirmed that Oledzki will play:

“Mikolaj will be playing on Friday.

“It is a great, he is a loveable character and a great player and teammate. Everyone is excited to have him back and none more so than him.

“He has had an extended rehab and at the end of last season he was playing in pain and doing what he could for his country and that led to surgery.

“It is great to have your best players available. Our squad is getting healthier. We will need a full squad.”

He also spoke about his selection headache in the middle:

“We have had players who have played well who have missed out on selection which is hard as a coach.

“You have got to do what is right for the team but also you have to have a view of the future.”