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Matthew Shaw

Leeds Rhinos' predicted team with players tipped to play in familiar positions

Rohan Smith once again has plenty of options at his disposal within his 21-man squad for Leeds Rhinos' crucial contest with Huddersfield Giants and trying to second-guess the Australian has proven over time to be difficult.

But with his first-choice halfbacks both available, you'd have to think that the temptation of pairing Blake Austin and Aidan Sezer together will be too great and they will play six and seven respectively. You can build the rest of the team around that.

It means Richie Myler is likely to move back to fullback and therefore, Ash Handley the wing. That seems like a necessary move with Nene Macdonald injured, taking away a mainstay in the outside backs. David Fusitu'a is back mind, and he's likely to play on the other wing.

It leads us to the centres. There are plenty of options here but Smith has shown his approval for Rhyse Martin playing in that role and given that, he is likely to take one spot. It leaves Luis Roberts and Derrell Olpherts battling it out for the other and Olpherts' form means Roberts is likely to retain his spot.

Read more: Jarrod O'Connor rewarded as Leeds Rhinos star lands new contract

The pack is, from there self-explanatory. Leon Ruan did his case no harm at Wakefield but with James Bentley and James McDonnell both available, they will start, and James Donaldson will retain his bench spot after playing well off the bench last time out. Who starts and who is benched among the props has proven difficult to predict but Mikolaj Oledzki, Sam Walters, Justin Sangare and Sam Lisone will all play.

That leaves one spot on the bench and there are viable cases for all five remaining players, but Smith has gone with Corey Johnson recently and that appears the likely outcome this time too.

Leeds Rhinos: Richie Myler, David Fusitu'a, Rhyse Martin, Luis Roberts, Ash Handley, Blake Austin, Aidan Sezer, Mikolaj Oledzki, Jarrod O'Connor, Sam Walters, James Bentley, James McDonnell, Cameron Smith. Subs: Justin Sangare, Sam Lisone, James Donaldson, Corey Johnson.

Missing out: Derrell Olpherts, Luke Hooley, Jack Sinfield, Leon Ruan.

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