Brett Hodgson has named Leeds’ key men that the Black & Whites should be aware of when they travel to face the Rhinos at Emerlad Headingley Stadium this evening, including the influential Luke Gale.
Hull return to action this evening as they face Richard Agar’s side in West Yorkshire, looking to return to winning ways having gone down to Catalans Dragons at the KCOM Stadium on Monday.
And although Hodgson believes his side weren’t far off the mark in Round 6, his side must be wary of the Rhinos who will have confidence following their win over Wakefield last time out.
Speaking about the Rhinos in his pre-match press conference, brought to you in association with Jacuzzi®, Hodgson said: “They’ve had plenty of injuries so far this season, but they’ve got some bodies coming back for the weekend.
“Luke Gale returned for them last weekend and looked solid, Richie Myler and Zane Tetevano come back into the game this weekend so we’re expecting a tough encounter.
“Gale is a key man for them, and he brings that. But Myler balances their squad too. Brad Dwyer out of hooker is a constant threat too, and Jack Broadbent is playing well out of full-back too.”
He added: “They had a real war of attrition against Wakefield last weekend and they’ll have some confidence on the back of that so we need to make sure we’re expecting another tough and physical encounter, and we need to perform up to our potential.”
On Monday’s defeat to Catalans meanwhile, Hodgson explained that his side will not lose confidence after the result, and believes his side weren’t far short of their normal standards.
“We processed the fact that we weren’t good enough on the day, but we’re only a few percent off. If we had executed some plays that didn’t come off in the first-half, we could have led comfortably at the break and it’s a whole different story.
“We’re not going to lose confidence due to last week, but we still know our systems are working.”
Hodgson also provided an injury update on members of the Black & White squad, including Adam Swift who left the field during last week’s game with a tight hamstring, and other longer term absentees.
“Adam Swift is doing okay. Taking him off on Monday was more of a precautionary measure. His hamstring just tightened up a little bit so we thought best to take him off but he’s gone okay this week.
“Josh Bowden should be good to go next week, or the week after. He has progressed really well with his elbow.
“Scott Taylor is still non-weoght baring with his foot, so he is still six or seven weeks away, and Masi Matongo is still another couple of months away after having a full meniscus repair.
“Jamie Shaul is doing really well, he is on track of everything we have asked of him. I still think he is a couple of months away from full fitness. With knee reconstructions, there are always a few steps backwards for every four or five you take forward, but he’s doing well.”
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