Warrington Wolves v Leeds Rhinos in focus: Opposition star man, key battle, previous meeting and verdict

Leeds Rhinos will aim to prove last week’s big win over Huddersfield Giants wasn’t a one-off when they visit second-placed Warrington Wolves on Thursday.
By Peter Smith
Published 28th Jun 2023, 12:00 BST
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Rhinos could complete back-to-back wins for only the third time this season, but face a Wolves side determined to bounce back from successive defeats. Here’s a scene-setter.

Betfred Super League round 17

Where and when?

Rhinos return to Warrington on Thursday hoping for a better night than four months ago, when they were beaten 42-10 in Betfred Super League round one. Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.comRhinos return to Warrington on Thursday hoping for a better night than four months ago, when they were beaten 42-10 in Betfred Super League round one. Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
Rhinos return to Warrington on Thursday hoping for a better night than four months ago, when they were beaten 42-10 in Betfred Super League round one. Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com

Date: Thursday, June 29.

Time: 8pm

Venue: HJ Stadium

Warrington’s star man: Pacy winger Matty Ashton is Wolves’ top try scorer so far this season, with 12, putting him fourth on the Super League list.

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Warrington's Stefan Ratchford kicks for goal against Leeds in February. Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com.Warrington's Stefan Ratchford kicks for goal against Leeds in February. Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com.
Warrington's Stefan Ratchford kicks for goal against Leeds in February. Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com.

Key battle: Kickers Stafan Ratchford and Rhyse Martin are jousting to become Super League’s top points scorer. Ratchford is currently third on 122, with Martin’s 128 leaving him just nine short of leader Marc Sneyd, of Salford. Ratchford has kicked 13 more goals (59 to 46), but Martin’s nine tries have given him the advantage.

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Previous meeting: February 16, 2023. Super League round one. Warrington 42 (Tries Dufty, Clark, Thewlis, Walker, Kasiano, Harrison, Minikin. Goals Ratchford 7), Rhinos 10 (Tries Olpherts, Sangare. Goal Martin). Referee: Liam Moore. Attendance: 11,082.

Verdict: Both teams will feel it’s a game they should win, if they play well. After a good start, Warrington’s recent form is patchy at best and they’ll need a big improvement from their past two games. Leeds’ squad looks much stronger than a few weeks ago and they played themselves into form in last Friday’s win over Huddersfield. If they can repeat that, Warrington will have to be very good to beat them, but can Rhinos string two dominant performances together? They haven’t so far and can’t afford another step back this time.

Related topics:Warrington WolvesSuper LeagueOppositionHuddersfield GiantsRhyse MartinMarc Sneyd