Round 2
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 8 l. Leeds Rhinos 44

2008 engage English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: United Kingdom > National > First Grade Competition: engage English Super League

Headingley Insight: Leeds v Wakefield
Fri February 15, 2008
Source: www.leedsrugby.com

In this weeks edition of Headingley Carnegie Insight Leeds coach Brian McClennan looks ahead to the Rhinos game at Wakefield this Friday, kick off 8pm.

ARE YOU WARY OF WAKEFIELD AFTER THEIR WIN OVER BRADFORD?
Wakefield will be a really tough challenge for us especially at Belle Vue. Traditionally there have been some great games between these two sides and it sounds like there is going to be a full house so the scene is set for another big clash. We know we will really need to be focused for the game and ready to match a determined Wakefield outfit.

HOW HAVE YOUR SIDE COME THROUGH THE GAME WITH HUDDERSFIELD?
We have come through well and everyone is happy and healthy. We were delighted for Kevin Sinfield and his wife Jane after the safe arrival of his new son, Sam, and he will be part of the squad that travels to Wakefield. We have got good strength in our squad at present with everyone playing on Friday night in either the Super League game or the Reserve Academy match before the main game. I have no doubt that we will get injuries during the course of the year but whatever the team you pick, that is your best team.

CAN YOUR SIDE IMPROVE ON THEIR PERFORMANCE LAST WEEK?
We are very fortunate that we have the opportunity to play in the Carnegie World Club Challenge and we are extremely grateful to have that opportunity. We are looking to continue to build our momentum this week after two pleasing wins in the first two rounds of Super League because we know we will need to be at the top of our game for the Carnegie World Club Challenge. We have to keep trying to improve and we face a real test against Wakefield on Friday night.

WHO DO YOU SEE AS THE MAIN THREATS FROM WAKEFIELD?
Wakefield are a team with a lot of threats throughout their team that is why they are such a hard team to play against. They have a variety of players with different skills sets and several kickers; that versatility is their strength. That means that we can only concentrate on ourselves and making sure we don't present them with opportunities.

WILL YOU MAKE ANY CHANGES THIS WEEK?
We feel Ryan Hall has got huge potential and I am very excited about his future at the club. However, there are aspects of his game that he is working hard at and we are working with him to improve. Lee Smith is a little bit more experienced and importantly he has the opportunity to kick on from his performance against Hull KR. We have got the Melbourne game in mind but I am sure Ryan will fight his way back in the future.

SMITH RETURNS FOR RHINOS
Winger Lee Smith has been recalled by Leeds Rhinos boss Brian McClennan for this Friday's clash with Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, kick off 8pm.

Smith scored two tries against Hull KR on the opening day of the season but Ryan Hall was preferred on the wing for last weeks 30-10 win over Huddersfield Giants.

Nick Scruton is also included in the Rhinos squad for the trip to Belle Vue in place of fellow prop Luke Burgess.

Rhinos skipper Kevin Sinfield will be available after the birth of his second son, Sam, on Tuesday night.

The 18 man squad in full is:

1 Brent Webb
2 Scott Donald
3 Clinton Toopi
4 Keith Senior
5 Lee Smith
6 Danny McGuire
7 Rob Burrow
8 Kylie Leuluai
9 Matt Diskin
10 Jamie Peacock
11 Jamie Jone Buchanan
12 Gareth Ellis
13 Kevin Sinfield
14 Ali Lauitiiti
16 Ryan Bailey
17 Nick Scruton
18 Ian Kirke
19 Carl Ablett

News sent by: www.leedsrugby.com

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