Rhinos v Wildcats: Teams

At Murrayfield, Saturday May 1, KO: 7pm, live on Sky Sports 4/HD4

Last updated: 1st May 2010  

Rhinos v Wildcats: Teams

Millard: rare absence

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Daryl Millard has been ruled out of Wakefield Wildcats' Murrayfield meeting with Leeds Rhinos on Saturday evening.

The Australian centre has been ever-present this season but suffered knee ligament damage during the 12-8 defeat at Hull on April 23 and will miss at least the next six weeks.

Wakefield coach John Kear will switch Paul Johnson, Luke George or Jason Demetriou to cover Millard's absence.

"We're sufficiently well covered but he's our top tryscorer so we will miss him," said Kear.

"It's just one of those things. There was no malice, it was just an accident.

"He's had the scans and the results and our doctor says it's going to be at least six to eight weeks but he wants to speak to the consultant before confirming it."

Wakefield will also be without stand-off Paul Cooke, who has a minor hamstring problem, Matt Blaymire and Glenn Morrison.

Such injury concerns, not to mention the departures of Danny Brough, Terry Newton and Shane Tronc means the Wildcats side taking to the pitch in Edinburgh will be rather different to that which stunned Leeds with a 28-18 win at Belle Vue in February.

Kear said their win three months ago would pale in comparison to victory on the opening day of the Magic Weekend.

"I don't think there's any doubt about that," he added.

"From the team we had then, there was Millard, Brough, Tronc, Newton and Morrison, all of whom will be missing.

"Add to that the fact that it's not at home and it would be a far greater achievement.

"We're just going to go there to give it a shot. The pressure is off and we're going to enjoy it."

Webb return

The Rhinos are set to be boosted by the return of full-back Brent Webb and second rower Ali Lauitiiti.

Webb missed the 41-20 defeat at St Helens last time out after suffering neck spasms in training, while Lauitiiti has been unavailable for the last two games with a torn calf.

Both have been named in coach Brian McClennan's 19-man squad.

McClennan, whose side have the chance to leapfrog the Wildcats into eighth place, admits they are still haunted by their first ever away defeat by the Wildcats in Super League.

"It always sticks in the memory when we cop a defeat," he said. "They beat us fair and square but it's given us extra determination for the Magic Weekend. We certainly plan to play much better."

Leeds squad: Webb, Delaney, Senior, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Buderus, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Lauitiiti, Sinfield, Diskin, Bailey, Kirke, Burgess, Ambler, Clarkson, Smith

Wakefield squad: Blanch, Gleeson, George, Jeffries, Korkidas, Ferguson, Demetriou, Obst , Bibb, Johnson, Henderson, Murphy, King, Leo-Latu, Morton, Davey, Moore, Gledhill, Kirmond

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