Leeds Rhinos v Salford Red Devils - here's everything you need to know
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Rhinos won 22-8 when the sides met at AJ Bell Stadium in February, but Salford will go into the rematch as the form side.
On the back of successive defeats, it is a big game for Rhinos’ top-four prospects.
Here’s all the essential information.
Opponents: Salford Red Devils
At: HJ Stadium, Warrington
On: Saturday, August 29
Kick-off: 6.30pm
Coverage: Sky Sports
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Hide AdTickets: No admission for fans - the game will be played behind closed doors.
Opposition coach: Ian Watson, 43 was rewarded with an extended contract - until the end of 2022 - after guiding Salford to third place in Betfred Super League last year and a Grand Final appearance. He played for Swinton, Salford, Workington, Widnes, Rochdale, Oldham, Halifax, Leigh and Wales and was player-coach at Swinton and an assistant-boss for Salford before taking the head job in 2016.
Opposition star man: Tui Lolohea had a tough time at Leeds last year before joining Salford as part of a swap deal which brought Rob Lui to Emerald Headingley. The environment obviously suits him and the Tongan stand-off has shown what he is capable of with a series of inspirational performances, including against Hull last time out.
Key battle: Salford’s hooker Joey Lussick has a habit of playing well and scoring important tries against Rhinos. He will be a good challenge for Kruise Leeming who has three Leeds appearances under his belt and is starting to find his feet after a long layoff.
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Hide AdOpposition form: Rhinos won 22-8 at Salford in February, after trailing 8-0. Salford struggled at the start of the season, but beat Wigan Warriors in their final game before the coronavirus break and thrashed Hull 54-18 in their first fixture after it. Their next game, against Catalans Dragons, was postponed after several Hull players tested positive for Covid-19.
Previous meeting: February 22, 2020. Betfred Super League round four. Salford Red Devils 8 (Tries Evalds, Lolohea), Leeds Rhinos 22 (Tries Gale, L Briscoe, Oledzki, Walker. Goals Gale 3). Referee: Marcus Griffiths. Attendance: 4,757.
Last five results: Rhinos WWWLL, Salford LLLWW
Previous game: Wigan Warriors 28 Leeds Rhinos 10 (Sunday, August 16 at TW Stadium St Helens); Salford Red Devils 54 Hull 18 (Sunday, August 9 at Headingley).
Milestones: Rhinos’ Liam Sutcliffe is one appearance away from 150 in Super League. Salford’s Krisnan Inu needs 11 points to reach 1,000 in his career.
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Hide AdSuper League head to head: Leeds have won 42, Salford have won five. Rhinos’ highest score and widest margin was 70-6 at Headingley in 2015. Salford’s highest score and widest margin was a 38-22 home win two years ago.
Team news: The only change to Rhinos’ initial squad is Richie Myler’s return from an ankle injury in place of Cameron Smith who suffered a fractured jaw in training. Rob Lui is available to face his former club and Ava Seumanufagai, Alex Sutcliffe and Rhys Evans are vying for a recall. Andy Ackers, signed from Toronto Wolfpack, is in line to make his Salford debut. Ed Chamberlain, Kevin Brown, Gil Dudson, Greg Burke and James Greenwood could also be called up. Dan Sarginson and Lee Mossop drop out from the team which beat Hull.
Other Rhinos injuries: Jack Walker (foot), Stevie Ward (head), Dom Crosby (knee), James Donaldson (back), Alex Mellor (knee).
Leeds Rhinos: T Briscoe, Newman, Hurrell, Handley, Lui, Gale, Seumanufagai, Leeming, Prior, Martin, Dwyer, L Sutcliffe, Myler, Cuthbertson, Oledzki, Thompson, Evans, McLelland, L Briscoe, A Sutcliffe, Holroyd.
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Hide AdSalford Red Devils: from Evalds, Chamberlain, Welham, Lolohea, Brown, Lussick, Dudson, Lannon, Pauli, McCarthy, Ikahihifo, Burke, Yates, Atkin, Flanagan, Johnson, Greenwood, Williams, Sio, Kear, Ackers.
Referee: Liam Moore (Wigan). It will be Moore’s second time in charge of a Rhinos game this season, following the 66-12 win over Toronto in March.
Next game: Both Thursday, September 3, at Emerald Headingley - Salford Red Devils v Castleford Tigers (2.30pm); Leeds Rhinos v Wakefield Trinity, 8.15pm.
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