Leeds Rhinos will have a tough match against Wigan Warriors today at Headingley. The Warriors have the opportunity to move back to the top of the Super League standings with a victory. They are currently tied on points with leaders Hull KR, so even a draw would be enough to secure the top spot.
Hull KR’s convincing win over Castleford Tigers last night allowed them to reclaim the top position temporarily. However, if Wigan Warriors perform as expected today, they will surpass Hull KR and take the lead. The Warriors are heavily favored to win against an injury-plagued Leeds Rhinos team.
For Leeds Rhinos, the pressure is on to secure points quickly as they are six points behind the playoff spots with only seven games left in the regular season. Failing to make it to the top six would mean missing out on playoff rugby league for the second consecutive season, which would be a major disappointment considering the investments made in the club.
Despite Wigan Warriors appearing to have overcome a recent rough patch, they will be playing their third game in ten days, which could give Leeds Rhinos some hope of causing an upset. Here is the team news for both teams ahead of their clash in 2024.
Leeds Rhinos will be missing their captain Cam Smith due to a suspension for a high tackle in the previous game against Salford. Matt Frawley will take over the captaincy in Smith’s absence, with Jarrod O’Connor filling in at loose forward. In addition, key players Mikolaj Oledzki and Ash Handley will also be absent due to injuries, with Oledzki expected to be out for up to a month with broken ribs. Ben Littlewood will make his debut, while Justin Sangare and Sam Lisone will lead the forward pack. Although David Fusitu’a is likely to return, players like Riley Lumb and Morgan Gannon will remain sidelined.
On the other hand, Wigan Warriors have no major changes in their lineup, with Jai Field’s absence in the previous game being a planned rest. Star players Bevan French, Brad O’Neill, Willie Isa, and Mike Cooper are still recovering from injuries, but Kruise Leeming is set to play against his former club, Leeds Rhinos, for the first time since leaving in 2023.
As both teams prepare to face off, the stage is set for an exciting and competitive match at AMT Headingley. Stay tuned for the latest updates on this highly anticipated showdown between Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors.
