St Helens plan unchanged team for Huddersfield trip

Mar 24 2008

ST HELENS coach Daniel Anderson is hoping to name an unchanged team for the first time this year for the trip to Huddersfield, who have lost loose forward Stephen Wild with a dislocated wrist.

Castleford and Harlequins are the latest clubs to feel the pinch from an early-season crop of injuries and both are down to the bare bones for their second matches in four days.

Tigers coach Terry Matterson has called up teenage prop Nathan Massey for the visit of Warrington while Quins coach Brian McDermott has drafted in little- known Dave Williams for the trip to his old club Bradford.

“I don’t think I’m on my own when I say this is not what rugby league is all about,” said Matterson.

“Our game is a pretty heavy body contact sport and, to back up three days and then have to do it again, I think you are going to see it affect the quality of the games on Monday.”

Two years ago the Tigers lost 64- 6 home to Warrington, three days after losing at Wakefield, and Matterson is desperately hoping history is not about to repeat itself.

“We’ve got an opportunity to atone for that,” he said. “It doesn’t get any easier against Warrington but that’s how it is. We will dust ourselves off and come back.”

Hull coach Peter Sharp is banking on Leeds bringing the best out of his struggling side when the engage Super League leaders and defending champions visit the KC Stadium today.

The Black and Whites are languishing in 11th place, with only Castleford below them, after losing for the fifth time in seven matches in the Hull derby at Craven Park on Good Friday.

The Rhinos, on the other hand, have begun to hit their straps, scoring 92 points in their last two matches against Harlequins and Bradford and keeping their tryline intact on both occasions.

Hull have won four of their last six meetings with the Rhinos and there have been signs of a recovery during back-to-back home wins over Wakefield and Wigan.

Hull coach Peter Sharp, whose position is thought to becoming under threat, said: “Leeds haven’t conceded a try in about three years, have they?

“It was always going to be a tough game no matter who we played. Leeds are a good, strong side that tend to bring out the best in us.

“I know Leeds are flying but that doesn’t matter because we know what we’re capable of doing if we play to our potential. If we do that, we’re a match for anyone. It is a great challenge to play Leeds.”

While the loss of winger Matt Sing with a broken hand has compounded Hull’s ongoing injury problems, Leeds coach Brian McClennan is set to welcome back stand-off Danny McGuire from a three-match absence with a shoulder problem.

In-form prop Ryan Bailey also returns after missing Thursday’s game against the Bulls and skipper Kevin Sinfield is hoping to reach a milestone after shaking off a leg injury.

The goalkicking loose forward is poised to become the first player to score in 50 consecutive matches for the club. His amazing run, which began in July 2006, has yielded 439 points from seven tries and 208 goals, including five drop goals.

The British club record is held by David Watkins, who scored in 92 consecutive matches for Salford from August 1972-74.

Sinfield limped off during Thursday’s game and was kept on the bench with the Easter Monday game in mind.

McClennan said: “He was alright to go back on but we just thought we’d keep him ready for Hull because it’s a quick turnaround.”

Hull KR, who have climbed to fourth place after back-to-back home wins, will go to Wigan full of confidence, especially after a productive time there in 2007.

“We have some good memories of going to the JJB after winning there twice last season,” said coach Justin Morgan.

Wigan are looking to bounce back from their nine-try mauling at St Helens but will be haunted by last season’s results against Rovers.

“They outplayed us,” admitted Warriors scrum-half Thomas Leuluai.

“They don’t give you much so you’ve got to work for all you get.”

The club with arguably the toughest task of all this Easter is Wakefield, who today set off for the south of France to prepare for their match against Catalans.

The Dragons beat St Helens in their last home match and are aiming to string together three successive wins for the first time for 12 months.

“It is a tough turnaround, tough to go to France, but someone had to do it and it’s us,” said Wildcats coach John Kear.

“It’s going to be very tough. They picked up a good away win on Friday and they are renowned for their home form.

“They obviously played really well against St Helens. They put Saints to the sword and we’ve all seen what St Helens can do.”