Rhinos v Wildcats - Teams

At Headingley Carnegie, Friday May 16, ko 8pm

Last updated: 16th May 2008  

Rhinos v Wildcats - Teams

Webb: Back for the Rhinos

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Leeds have a quartet of players back for Friday night's Yorkshire derby against Wakefield at Headingley Carnegie.

Ali Lauitiiti and Ryan Bailey are both available again after sitting out the 36-26 Challenge Cup win over Harlequins last weekend.

Brent Webb, who missed the tie at the Twickenham Stoop as he was away on international duty with New Zealand, is also included in the19-man squad.

Coach Brian McClennan could hand a home debut to Eric Anselme, the French forward who was recently signed on loan from Albi.

The 29-year-old marked his first appearance for his new club with a try in the Millennium Magic win over the Bradford Bulls but was cup-tied for the Quins clash.

A win for Leeds would see them move seven points clear at the Super League summit with their nearest rivals Catalans Dragons not in action until Saturday when they travel to St Helens.

In-form Wildcats

Wakefield couldn't be in better form heading into such a big match having won their last six matches in all competitions.

A resounding 58-6 victory over Barrow in the Challenge Cup means John Kear remains on target to become the first coach to lift the trophy with three different teams.

His side are also well placed to push for a play-off place with their recent run of good results moving them into the top six.

There have been disappointments for the Wildcats, however, firstly with the news that Paul Reilly will be out for two months following surgery on his neck.

Adam Watene is also out, the prop facing a three-month lay-off with a ruptured posteria cruciate knee ligament.

Luke George, who will not play again this season, is the only other long-term absentee.

However, Brad Drew and Danny Sculthorpe, who both made successful comebacks against the Raiders last weekend, are named in the 19-man party.

Jamie Rooney, who missed the fifth round fixture due to a hamstring injury, and Tevita Leo Latu are also included as Wakefield look to avenge a 44-8 home loss to Leeds back in February.

Atonement

While paying tribute to Friday's opponents, Kear said that Wakefield were looking to atone for that defeat.

"The first 40 minutes of that match in February was horrific and I put that in part down to us under-performing and Leeds performing at their absolute maximum," he said.

"At that point in time they were in irresistible form and it's credit to them that they've maintained some pretty good form."

Of his squad, Kear added: "We're putting out what I think is our strongest team for a number of weeks.

"There are one or two players who feel a little unlucky and a little aggrieved but they've handled the disappointment very well and are still in there supporting the group."

Leeds squad: Ablett, Anselme, Bailey, Leuluai, Burrow, Diskin, Donald, Ellis, Hall, Lauitiiti, McGuire, Peacock, Scruton, Senior, Sinfield, Smith, Tansey, Webb, Worrall.

Wakefield squad: Blaymire, Blanch, Martin, Atkins, Rooney, Brough, Drew, Sculthorpe, MacGillivray, Obst, Bibey, Wilkes, Gleeson, Leo-Latu, Grix, Golden, Moore, Bibb, Dale.

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