Leeds Rhinos 'skinny' in the pack for Wigan Warriors clash says coach

Leeds Rhinos coach Richard Agar says up to four players have “a chance” of returning from injury this weekend, but at least one has joined the long-term casualty list.
Konrad Hurrell on the charge against Huddersfield. Picture by Martin Rickett PA Wire.Konrad Hurrell on the charge against Huddersfield. Picture by Martin Rickett PA Wire.
Konrad Hurrell on the charge against Huddersfield. Picture by Martin Rickett PA Wire.

Rhinos play Betfred Super League leaders Wigan Warriors at St Helens on Sunday, in a game moved back 24 hours following the coronavirus outbreak at Hull FC.

“It gives us an extra day’s rest,” Agar - who will name an initial 21-man squad today - said of the fixture reshuffle.

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“We’re not quite sure at this moment in time, but Konny [Konrad Hurrell], Rob Lui and Richie Myler will all possibly have a chance.

Rob Lui. Picture by Steve Riding.Rob Lui. Picture by Steve Riding.
Rob Lui. Picture by Steve Riding.

“Liam Sutcliffe will have a chance this week, but we will lose Alex Mellor.”

Mellor suffered knee damage in the first half of last week’s 48-0 loss to St Helens and was substituted at half-time.

Agar said: “He is going to be out for six weeks.

“It is deep bone bruising, it is a sizable one.

Alex Mellor is tackled during Rhinos' win over Huddersfield. Picture by James Hardisty.Alex Mellor is tackled during Rhinos' win over Huddersfield. Picture by James Hardisty.
Alex Mellor is tackled during Rhinos' win over Huddersfield. Picture by James Hardisty.

“He got his technique wrong on that tackle, but he was going well for us.

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“It is a shame and we are a bit skinny now, with Wardy [Stevie Ward], Mellor, [James] Donaldson all gone and Liam has been out a long time.

“It leaves us thin on the ground.”

Centre/second-row Alex Sutcliffe would have been unavailable on Saturday because of concussion suffered six days earlier, but the extra day means he could now be available

Agar said teenage prop Tom Holroyd is a contender for a call-up.

“He will be in the squad,” confirmed the coach. “We certainly weren’t happy with the way our middles performed last week and he has been putting pressure on them all year and since we came back.

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“I think we have got to hold some of our blokes accountable for what we saw last weekend and we are certainly not ruling out changes on form.”

Rhinos have signed second-rower Bodene Thompson from Toronto Wolfpack until the end of this season, subject to visa clearance.

Thompson is exempt from the overseas quota, because of Toronto’s withdrawal from Super League.

Explaining why Rhinos went into the transfer market, Agar - who ruled out a move for Toronto prop Darcy Lussick - said: “Donno and Alex [Mellor] are down for a fair while, there’s nothing on the horizon for Stevie coming back and Liam is only coming back from a sizable break.

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“We are really skinny on forwards and are going to be for the next month.

“We were really comfortable with our squad, but with Stevie making no headway and two sizable injuries, it has changed our outlook.

“We missed Donno last weekend, his tackling, speed and energy in the middle. With Alex going down as well, we felt we needed to go out and strengthen our squad over the next month.”

Of Thompson, Agar added: “Konny, Rob Lui and Ava [Seumanufagai] have all played with Bodene in Australia.

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“I know he has real raps as a trainer, he’s a good culture guy and he’s vastly experienced.

“To be able to get someone at short notice, short term like we have done and a guy of his quality, we think he’ll be a handy pick-up at this stage.”

Rhinos’ 20-year-old prop Tyler Dupree will join Betfred Championship side Oldham - who are coached by ex-Leeds player Matt Diskin - next season.Dupree, who is a member of Rhinos’ first-team squad, has signed a one-year contract.

He has not featured in Leeds’ first team, but had spells on loan at Featherstone Rovers, York City Knights and Batley Bulldogs.

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Wigan players will pay tribute to Leeds Rhinos legend Rob Burrow, who has motor neurone disease, during Sunday’s game.

Each player’s shirt will feature a word he has chosen to describe Burrow, alongside the Wigan man’s name.

The shirts will later be auctioned with all proceeds donated to the Rob Burrow Fund.

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