I’ve decided to travel to a few Rhinos away games this season but only ones reasonably close to home. That doesn’t include Widnes so I was hoping the game would be televised by the BBC. It wasn’t chosen, however The Sportsman will be streaming the game on their YouTube channel — happy days.
The Squads #
Leeds have a few big guns missing from their twenty-one man squad, namely Jake Connor, Lachie Miller, Keenan Palasia, Maika Sivo, Ash Handley, James McDonnell and Chris Hankinson so squad depth will be tested. Coach Brad Arthur has stated that club debuts will be given to half-back George Brown and three-quarter back Fergie McCormack so it’ll be interesting to see how they play.
Widnes have several ex Oldham players amongst their ranks. Adam Lawton, Lewis Hall, Ryan Ince, Jay Chapelhow, Jumah Sambou and Danny Langtree to name but a few. It’ll be the first time that Langtree will appear in a side against the one I’m supporting, so that’ll be weird!
Being a big pessimist I’m a bit concerned about the players missing from Leeds squad and the relative strength of Widnes. The Vikings put up a good show agains a quality London Broncos side a few weeks ago and only fell away late in the game. Hopefully Leeds will have enough class and power to do the same. Gulp.
My dream is that Leeds win, Oldham see off Dewsbury on Sunday and then Rhinos and Roughyeds draw each other in round four. At Headingley. Please please can that happen rugby league gods.
Both Leeds and Widnes published their squads with graphics on social media. The Rhinos one is on brand and to the point. Widnes can’t seem to line up numbers and I’m on the fence about their new logo. It looks like something you’d see on the side of a new craft-beer bottle. Maybe I’ll warm to it. At least they’ve got a new logo eh Oldham. Huh huh?
The Game #
I’m not sure who’ll feature at full-back for Leeds. Brad Arthur spoke about George Brown playing some time in the halves and some at the back, so maybe the players will swap about during the game. Riley Lumb is really a full-back so I reckon he’ll start at 1 and then move out to the wing at some point. The forwards pretty much pick themselves.
I think we’ll have a low scoring first half with not much between the two sides at the break. Leeds will then take control in the second half and go on to win by 18 points. Standard stuff for this kind of game but it is what it is.
Just do your stuff Rhinos and set up that tie with Oldham!