Castleford Tigers v Leeds Rhinos: Key battles in Super League clash
Thursday 2 March 2017 22:49, UK
The Betfred Super League season has already produced high drama in its opening weeks and a West Yorkshire ding-dong lies in store on Thursday as Castleford host Leeds.
The Tigers hold the edge over their local rivals, boasting four straight wins against the Rhinos, and have started with the season with impressive wins over Leigh and Warrington respectively.
Can Leeds win back those bragging rights? Here are three key battles…
Zak Hardaker v Ashton Golding
There's no doubting the star of the sub plot this week. On-loan Zak Hardaker will face his former Rhinos team-mates for the first time since his move to Castleford.
It didn't end too well at Headingley for the 2015 Man of Steel, quitting the Rhinos mid-season to switch to the NRL, before making the move just down the M62 this winter.
Brian McDermott will know all about the full-back. On his day, he's brilliant. Superb in defence and capable of providing a spark in attack, Hardaker can be one of Super League's best.
The 25-year-old came to Castleford seeking a fresh start and scored his first try in last Friday's win over Warrington.
Daryl Powell will be delighted with his numbers so far, 289 metres made at an average of 8.76m a drive, highlighting his ability on kick return. He has also provided four try assists, the second best in Super League.
Will Hardaker prove to the Rhinos just what they're missing?
It is a big night too for Hardaker's replacement. Golding has been given the No 1 shirt, a big show of confidence from McDermott in the 20-year-old at the start of the season.
Golding immediately proved why he's so highly rated at Headingley in the first game of the campaign against St Helens. Some sensational defence caught the eye of everyone watching and the full-back has not missed a tackle yet in 25 attempts.
His kick returns could do with work, just an average of 4.88 metres a drive from his 50 carries, but the fact he is second in the Rhinos carries list shows Golding is at least hungry for work. And Golding does have 14 tackle busts to his name, seven more than any other team-mate.
Will the young pretender oust the past master? We'll find out on Thursday.
Michael Shenton v Kallum Watkins
Two experienced Super League campaigners are on show in the centres with both looking to catch England coach Wayne Bennett's eye.
It's good to see Shenton back in action. The Castleford captain played just 27 minutes of Super League last season, suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the season opener against Hull KR. But he's back and fighting fit in 2017.
A 2015 Dream Team selection, Shenton has a genuine chance of lifting silverware with the Tigers this season. His form could be crucial to their chances.
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Bennett has already given Shenton an international vote of confidence, calling the centre up to England's elite performance squad, and he has played his part so far in 2017, providing a try assist and already making 137 metres at an average gain of 8.06m a drive. Solid stuff so far from the skipper.
Can Shenton find his 2015 try-scoring form when he crossed 14 times to make him the club's third top scorer? Opening his season account against Leeds would be a start.
Another man looking for his first score of the season is Watkins. No tries and no assists does not mark a great return for the centre in three games so far, but he is still such a danger with ball in hand.
Teams have to keep a close eye on Watkins, his lightning pace often leading to outside breaks or a dangerous offload for his winger. The 25-year-old has made 358 metres at an average gain of 8.33m a drive so far, showing he is looking for the ball.
Watkins was the Rhinos' top scorer last season with nine tries and went over for 15 the year before, the second best in Leeds colours. Can the Rhinos create chances to get him in space and running at the Castleford defence? It's something Daryl Powell needs to keep a close eye on.
Luke Gale v Rob Burrow
The battle between the half-backs will prove important on Thursday. There is always pressure on Gale's shoulder, but he'll have to take on added responsibility with Rangi Chase dropped following an internal investigation by the club.
But Gale is developing into one of Super League's best. He is the Tigers joint-top try scorer with three, having provided one assist as well, but Gale is in charge of steering the side round the park, putting in nine attacking kicks.
The 28-year-old dominated the Super League assists chart last season, laying on 46 tries for his team-mates, a remarkable 21 more than any other player in the competition. He also stuck in 159 attacking kicks, only behind Marc Sneyd in the rankings.
Gale has marshalled the side to wins over Leigh and Warrington and the Tigers will expect their midfield general to deliver against the Rhinos.
Leeds have their tried and tested half-back combination of Danny McGuire and Burrow back together again.
Although Burrow's best position has been up for debate for several seasons, he has started all three games in 2017 in the scrum-half role.
You know what to expect from Burrow. One of Super League's most diminutive runners, he will take on the line looking for gaps to burst through, using his speed and size to his advantage.
Burrow has two try assists to his name so far this season, including providing Liam Sutcliffe with the final pass in the match-winning score against Salford.
He has taken on the kicking responsibilities, putting in eight attacking kicks and nailing four goals off the tee, the deciding factor in the win over Salford.
Can Burrow roll back the years again to put in a match-winning performance against Castleford? Join us on Sky Sports 2 HD from 7pm to find out.
