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Featherstone Rovers pride at playing Leeds Rhinos
Rob Burrow.
Featherstone Rovers are “proud” to be taking part in Friday’s champions versus champions clash with Leeds Rhinos at Headingley Carnegie.
Scrum-half Rob Burrow’s testimonial is Leeds’ only full-scale trial match before they kick-off their title defence two weeks later.
Rovers won last year’s Co-op Championship Grand Final a week before Leeds’ Super League triumph against St Helens and their coach Daryl Powell sees it as the ultimate test for his team.
Powell is a former Leeds player and team boss and he said: “It is a significant game for us.
“We are proud to be taking part in Rob Burrow’s testimonial game and we know it will be a tough challenge against an outstanding team, but we want to do ourselves justice.”
Burrow, a former Featherstone Juniors player, made his Rhinos debut off the substitutes’ bench in a home defeat by Hull on April 6, 2001.
That was Dean Lance’s final game as coach before he was sacked and Powell took over.
“I gave him his first start in my first game as coach, away to Warrington, ” the current Rovers boss recalled.
“He was excellent, we got beaten and didn’t play well, but Rob was outstanding. He has gone on to be an outstanding person and rugby league player.
“I enjoy talking to him and I am proud to know him and to have been involved in his development.”
Powell had a spell as Rhinos’ youth boss when Burrow was coming through the ranks.
He said he never doubted the half-back would make it in Super League, despite his lack of size.
At 5ft 5ins Burrow is the shortest player in the competition, but Powell said: “The first time I saw him was when I was still playing.
“We had a club training session and when he turned up I thought what’s this kid going to do? Then he set off and I could see exactly why he was there – his trademark ability to move as quickly as he does and change direction as quickly as he does.
“His size – or lack of it – is a strength for him. He is hard to handle and he can duck under people like you would not believe.
“After seeing him move that first time I was pretty confident he would become a top-quality player and he has done.”
Powell added: “He is a superb player. I thought he was a massive player for Leeds last season, at the back end. He turned games at times when they were struggling a bit and he proved what a high-quality player he is.”
Powell stepped down as Rhinos coach at the end of the 2003 season. Though he had a spell on Leeds Carnegie’s backroom staff, tomorrow will be his first return as a rugby league coach.
“I am looking forward to it,” said Powell, who guided Rhinos to the 2003 Challenge Cup final and second spot on the league table.
“Headingley is a special place in my rugby league career. I was honoured to play for Leeds and to coach them and I will really enjoy going back.
“I hope it’s a happy day for us.”
Leeds coach Brian McDermott has named almost a full strength side for the game, with Burrow partnering Danny McGuire in the halves.
New signings Richard Moore and Darrell Griffin are both on the bench, but he has decided not to risk England captain Jamie Peacock or club captain Kevin Sinfield following their heavy Four Nations schedule.
On the wing Lee Smith is preferred to Ben Jones-Bishop, while there is no place in the 17 for Ian Kirke.
Tickets are £15 for adults, £10 for concessions and just £5 for juniors which is for all areas of the ground, whether seating or standing. The South Stand is closed for this game but the Supporters’ Club will be open from 5.30pm in the South Stand car park as usual.
Leeds Rhinos: Webb, Smith, Watkins, Hardaker, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, McShane, Bailey, Jones-Buchanan, Delaney, Ablett. Subs: Hauraki, Hood, Griffin, Moore, Clarkson.
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Weather for Leeds
Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
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d4mo78
Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 01:35 PMYou look at that team, and the players who aren't in it, and we have a strong squad this year. Hopefully we pick up from last year
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