Leeds Rhinos face old adversaries Wigan Warriors tonight in a heavyweight Super League clash as they look to bounce back from their opening-day defeat to Warrington Wolves.
The loss to the Wire came at a heavy cost for Richard Agar’s side as James Bentley and Brad Dwyer picked up suspensions while Richie Myler and David Fusitu’a were forced off.
Rhyse Martin is also absent due to compassionate leave following the passing of his father but Blake Austin should make his debut and it is hoped that Harry Newman will also feature.
Rugby League Live assesses the key issues surrounding the Rhinos as they head to the DW Stadium.
Maintaining the performance levels of last week
Leeds were outstanding for much of their opening game against Warrington and even visiting head coach Daryl Powell was honest enough to admit that his team was largely second-best.
Despite the disruption caused by James Bentley’s early dismissal and Brad Dwyer’s sinbinning, the Rhinos continued to play with energy and conviction.
In the end, the Wolves exploited the extra space created by Bentley’s red card and they sneaked a close-fought 22-20 victory.
Yet Richard Agar and his coaching team will have taken great heart from the overall performance and it is vital that Leeds show similar levels again tonight if they are to deny Wigan a second successive victory.
Jarrod O’Connor’s time to shine?
The son of Sky Sports pundit and former Wigan prop Terry O’Connor has enjoyed a fine pre-season and will have been disappointed to miss out on last week’s visit of Warrington.
With a number of players absent this evening, O’Connor will hope to get a call-up and make his mark off the bench.
The 20-year-old recently spoke of his desire to work towards securing the loose forward position at Headingley in the coming years.
But he can also cover hooker and, with Brad Dwyer suspended, O’Connor could be given a chance to shine as an interchange option for captain Kruise Leeming.
Alex Mellor is another man who will be desperate to take his chance if he, as seems likely, he is involved with James Bentley and Rhyse Martin both absent.
Blake Austin set for Rhinos debut
Aidan Sezer enjoyed a hugely promising bow for Leeds against Warrington and pulled all the strings in attack.
It will now be intriguing to see how he dovetails with Austin, who will make his first appearance for the club following his close-season move from Warrington Wolves.
The pair are old team-mates from their days together at Canberra Raiders and have remained close friends ever since.
The last time Austin made a debut for a Super League side was three years ago, when he destroyed Leeds, ironically, on his first appearance for Warrington.
Now Rhinos followers will hope that Agar can repeat the trick – only this time in the blue and amber of Leeds.
If Austin and Sezer can reprise their old partnership at the first time of asking, then Leeds surely have every chance of troubling the Wigan defence.
Jack Walker’s return to fitness and form
Traumatic does not do justice to Jack Walker’s horrendous battle with injuries during the past two years.
He has suffered numerous setbacks but to see him patrolling the field at Headingley last Saturday was heartening.
Walker is a player who announced his arrival as one of the finest young homegrown talents in the competition when he burst onto the scene in 2017.
He went on to help Leeds to Grand Final glory later that year against Castleford Tigers at Old Trafford after being picked ahead of Ashton Golding by Brian McDermott.
After his encouraging display last week, Leeds fans will hope for more of the same from Walker against Wigan.
