Saturday’s showpiece game at Magic Weekend pits Hull KR against Hull FC with the champions potentially feeling vulnerable given last week’s loss to Leeds Rhinos and the resulting injuries and suspensions.
Hull KR were beaten by the Rhinos convincingly for a second time this year, making it four straight losses against Brad Arthur’s side but in Saturday’s opponents Hull FC, they face a team that they have beaten on the last seven ocassions.
In fact, Willie Peters has won eight of the nine derbies that he has coached in but after the Black and Whites pushed Wigan close and the Robins picked up yet more bans or injuries in their forward pack, could Saturday be a closer affair?
Whilst the 21-man squads for each team will not be confirmed until midday on Thursday, we have looked at the early team news in terms of who is definitely out of Magic Weekend, as well as which players are doubts.
Hull KR team news
The Robins have far less players out that Hull FC but those that are either ruled out or doubtful are of huge value, with long-term absentee Arthur Mourgue joined by Dean Hadley (HIA) and Tevita Pangai Jr (suspension) following the loss to Leeds Rhinos.
For Hadley, it’s a second failed HIA in under a month, having also gone off inside five minutes in the Challenge Cup Final, and it’s still to be seen if that means a longer lay-off, whereas Pangai Jr has been banned for six matches for gouging Jake Connor.
That pair will be a huge loss to the forward pack, particularly if Sauaso Sue and Sam Luckley both miss out as they did against Leeds. Sue, who has a shoulder knock, was named to the 21-man squad whereas Luckley (hamstring) was not, so he may be more of a doubt.
The big question for KR revolves around Jez Litten with the England hooker having now missed the last two games, though he was named in the 21-man squad to face Leeds. Meanwhile, Joe Burgess could return this week after a shoulder injury was sustained against Leigh.
Outs – Arthur Mourgue (pec), Dean Hadley (HIA), Tevita Pangai Jr (suspension)
Doubts – Joe Burgess (shoulder), Sauaso Sue (shoulder), Jez Litten (ankle), Sam Luckley (hamstring)
Hull FC team news
If Hull KR think they have big problems then they need only look at rivals Hull FC, who themselves have a dozen confirmed out as well as two players doubtful.
Many of FC’s injuries are long-term ones sustained earlier in the season with the most impactful being Will Pryce (ACL) and John Asiata (hamstring), with the latter having suffered his injury in the derby on Good Friday.
Signing Sam Lisone is another whose season is likely over whilst young gun Will Kirby was the latest added to that list after an ACL injury.
The positives for Hull FC is that Cade Cust and James Bell could return with the latter to offer some much-needed relief in the pack so that Zak Hardaker may be able to take up his more traditional position in the centres.
Outs – Will Pryce (ACL), Harvey Barron (HIA), John Asiata (hamstring), Sam Lisone (pec), Ligi Sao (shoulder), Yusuf Aydin (suspension), Arthur Romano (ankle), Connor Bailey (clavicle), Brad Fash (knee), Will Kirby (ACL), Roman Dawson (suspension), Joe Ward (ACL)
Doubts– Cade Cust (shoulder), James Bell (knee)
