Plenty to ponder for Leeds Rhinos coach Richard Agar ahead of Wembley showpiece – Peter Smith
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Declining attendances at Wembley have been a concern for the Rugby Football League for more than a decade, but at the start of 2020 nobody envisaged a crowd of zero for the 2020 showpiece.
Wembley’s locked gates are a huge shame, particularly for Salford Red Devils’ long-suffering fans, but unique factors will determine who lifts the trophy at around 4.45pm on Saturday.
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Hide AdAfter only a two-week build-up, both coaches have had to cope with a midweek match and the looming threat of coronavirus.
Two Salford players have tested positive since their win over Huddersfield Giants a week ago.
Their identity hasn’t been released and they may not have been among boss Ian Watson’s likely Wembley line-up, but it will have been a disruption.
Still, Wembley week is often as much about dealing with the media and other arrangements as it is preparing for a huge game.
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Hide AdThere has been little of that – one joint press conference involving both coaches on Monday and scattered interviews on other days, but nothing like the usual frenzy. And at least players will not have been fielding calls from old friends and fourth cousins twice removed, begging for tickets.
It is not always the case, but both teams will go into the final in good form and with reasons to believe it can be their day.
Salford have not been to Wembley since 1969, but were Betfred Super League Grand Finalists last year so have recent big-game experience.
More recent than Rhinos. Leeds have featured in 15 Challenge Cup deciders since Salford last did, but it is five years since their last Wembley and their most recent final of any sort was in 2017.
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Hide AdSalford – who have six former Cup finalists in their ranks, one fewer than Rhinos – have in-form outside-backs, particularly Krisnan Inu and ex-Leeds skipper Kallum Watkins, two good halves and a strong pack, but man for man, Leeds may feel they have the edge.
Initial 21-man squads will be revealed today and Rhinos’ final 17 is likely to be close to the one which beat Wigan Warriors in such outstanding fashion in the semi-final two weeks ago – assuming there are no training injuries or Covid scares.
Jack Walker’s return to fitness has given Leeds boss Richard Agar something to ponder, but he played 80 minutes against Warrington on Tuesday and Richie Myler’s superb form since the first-choice full-back suffered a foot fracture in February will probably secure his spot.
Harry Newman’s broken leg was a blow, but Liam Sutcliffe has been playing well at centre and while Konrad Hurrell hasn’t looked fully fit, he is a big-game player.
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Hide AdTom Briscoe and Ash Handley are nailed on for the wing spots and – providing his sore knee doesn’t flare up – Rob Lui will surely start alongside Luke Gale in the halves.
Mikolaj Oledzki and Ava Seumanufagai are forming a strong front-row partnership either side of hooker Kruise Leeming and Alex Mellor and Rhyse Martin are automatic picks in the second-row, if fit and available.
Matt Prior, who is an unsung hero, will be one of the first names on Agar’s teamsheet, at loose-forward – though he and Oledzki could swap over.
The bench is less certain. Brad Dwyer’s combination with Leeming has worked well and he brings energy, enthusiasm and pace when he comes on, so he will play, as will James Donaldson who has been excellent since recovering from a fracture in his back.
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Hide AdThe remaining spots will probably go to two from Walker, Cameron Smith, Tom Holroyd and Adam Cuthbertson.
The latter was omitted from the semi-final team and didn’t play against Hull a week ago, but has big-match experience, including at Wembley.
Holroyd is very much a rookie, with only 10 first-team games to his name, so would be a gamble, but is big, strong and confident.
He and Cuthbertson played on Tuesday, but their game time was carefully managed, which may suggest Agar is leaning their way.
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Hide AdSmith also featured against Warrington, though largely out of position. He would be an attacking choice, but Cuthbertson’s experience and Holroyd’s size may just edge it for them.
It’s a tough decision though and whoever misses out will be unfortunate.
The inclusion of Walker – or Luke Briscoe – would give Agar options in the backs, but leave Rhinos with a small bench, so the Wembley team will be something like: Myler, T Briscoe, Hurrell, L Sutcliffe, Handley, Lui, Gale, Seumanufagai, Leeming, Oledzki, Mellor, Martin, Prior. Subs Dwyer, Donaldson, Cuthbertson, Holroyd.
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