Centurions v Rhinos: Teams

Friday May 11, Leigh Sports Village, KO:8pm

Last updated: 10th May 2012   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Centurions v Rhinos: Teams

Rob Burrow: recovered from cheek bone injury

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Leeds Rhinos welcome back Rob Burrow, Weller Hauraki and Kallum Watkins for Friday's Challenge Cup quarter-final at Leigh.

Burrow returns from a cheek bone injury that has kept him out for a month, Hauraki has not played since February due to a calf injury, while Watkins hurt his knee against Bradford on Good Friday.

But the Rhinos, who have lost five Challenge Cup finals since their last triumph in the competition in 1999, are without Brett Delaney (ankle), Jamie Peacock (knee) and Darrell Griffin (rested) for the trip to Leigh Sports Village.

Leigh are without captain John Duffy and former Wigan prop Ricky Bibey through injury but rugby league legend Alex Murphy is warning Super League champions Leeds to beware the spirit of '71 when they take on part-timers.

The tie has rekindled memories of one of the great Challenge Cup upsets, the day Murphy inspired unfancied Leigh to a 24-7 victory over hot favourites Leeds at Wembley.

The Centurions are the 150-1 outsiders to repeat their giantkilling act from 41 years ago but Murphy can see some similarities between the two occasions.

Memories

"It's brought back some nice memories," Murphy said. "On paper, it's not a match but games aren't played on paper. Who knows what's going to happen on the day? It's a tricky game for Leeds. I think they will win but it's not a walkover by any means."

Leigh are on a seven-match winning run, including a golden-point victory over Halifax in the last round of the cup, but coach Paul Rowley admits victory over the world club champions would represent an even bigger shock than 1971.

"None of these guys were born then," he said. "We are most definitely bigger underdogs this time.

"But there is tremendous belief and spirit in the camp and we will go into the game with a smile on our faces.

"We are determined to enjoy the experience and you never know what can happen on the day. Everybody dreams and sometimes dreams become reality."

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