Two of Super League’s lesser lights get the chance to shine on Thursday night as Wakefield and Hull KR get the latest round of action underway in front of the Sky cameras. Both sides are looking for wins to push towards securing a top eight finish which should ensure this one is very competitive.
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Wakefield suffered just their second defeat in 11 matches last week when they were well beaten by Salford but unlike last year where they only secured their Super League status by winning the Million Pound match, they look much more secure and likely to secure safety with a top eight finish.
Wakefield’s success has largely come from a strong forward pack but their back line has been potent too with Ben Jones-Bishop and Tom Johnstone catching the eye at various times this season and they will hope long term they can secure their services.
Hull KR
Rovers go into this match off the back of successive defeats although they both came against two of the better sides in the league in the shape of Hull FC and Catalans Dragons. Clearly they would have been disappointed to lose the derby at the Magic Weekend but last week they appeared to sack the game off before it began.
Injuries are a reason why Hull KR are much lower than they should be but we saw last year in their Challenge Cup run that on their day when everyone is fit and firing they can be a match for anyone and I’m slowly seeing signs that they might be about to put a run together.
Team news
Wakefield will be without their captain Danny Kirmond here which is less than ideal. He is suspended for a tripping incident last week and misses out here. Ben Jones-Bishop is missing through injury but Tom Johnstone, Reece Lyne and Stuart Howarth are all back in contention.
Hull KR have a pretty strong looking squad at their disposal here. Ben Cockayne and Josh Mantellato are out with injury but Terry Campese returns having not travelled to France last week. Mitch Allgood returns from his one game ban too.
Betting
This is one of those weird sporting match ups in that the coaches of both sides were with their opponents 12 months ago but such is the world of top level sport these days they now both want to beat their former employers.
In the last two weeks Wakefield have taken a pounding at Salford and were on their way to one at the Magic Weekend until Catalans inexplicably stopped playing so I just wonder if the novelty period is beginning to end for Chris Chester at Belle Vue.
Hull KR were pretty competitive against a top level Hull FC side at the Magic Weekend and were much more competitive than many expected against the Catalans last week when you factor in that they left some big players at home.
That makes me think Hull KR have every chance here. If Terry Campese and Albert Kelly can show their best form there is little doubt in my mind they are the standout players on the part and with the likes of Ken Sio, Kevin Larroyer and Shaun Lunt offering further quality I think it is worth chancing the visitors in this one.
Tips
WON – Back Hull KR to beat Wakefield for a 3/10 stake at 2.50 with Bwin
Back them here:
