Wildcats v Crusaders: Teams
Crusaders have eased any fears they would not fulfil the rest of their 2011 fixtures by naming a 19-man squad to face Wakefield.
Last Updated: 29/07/11 5:12pm
Crusaders have eased any fears they would not fulfil the rest of their 2011 fixtures by naming a 19-man squad to face Wakefield on Sunday.
After being given an unexpected reprieve to continue in Super League next season, the Wildcats will host the Welsh outfit in a clash between the league's two bottom clubs.
Crusaders withdrew their application for a new license from 2012-2014 and there had been fears that the decision to pull out may disrupt their remaining matches this season.
They name the same 17 that played against Castleford two weeks ago with Elliot Kear and Gil Dudson also named in Iestyn Harris' 19-man squad.
While playing contracts for 2012 and beyond have automatically been terminated, the club's owners are now considering whether dropping into the Co-operative Championship is viable.
"Rugby League in Wales has made massive strides in recent years and I am confident we can build on that burgeoning popularity, both in north Wales and south Wales," chairman Richard Lewis said.
Problems
"For all the well-documented problems the Crusaders have experienced, the sport has gone from strength to strength at community level and the health of those grass roots bodes well for the future.
"Our commitment to the sport in Wales has not diminished and I am sure the people of Wales will continue to respond in massive numbers to the opportunities they have to play and watch rugby league."
Wakefield coach John Kear has recalled props Ben Gledhill and Russ Spiers after lengthy spells out of the side, while loose forward Stuart Howarth returns from a knee injury.
Hooker Julien Rinaldi misses the match due to a shoulder injury with full-back Matt Blaymire and back Luke George joining him on the sidelines with knee and ankle problems respectively.
Skipper Glenn Morrison is still not ready to return from hand surgery while Jarrad Hickey is omitted for form and fitness reasons.
Wakefield squad: Murphy, Korkidas, Henderson, Lee, Tony, Smith, P. Johnson, Dean, Morton, Gledhill, Mariano, Howarth, Veivers, Higgins, Wildie, Spiers, Griffin, Amor, Tadulala.
Crusaders squad: Schifcofske, Martin, Mellars, Reardon, Witt, Sammut, O'Hara, Withers, Cahill, Chan, Winternstein, J. James, Flower, Kear, White, Dudson, Moore, L. Williams, Tansey.
