Leeds Rhinos vs Huddersfield Giants preview

After defeat to St Helens in his first game coaching in super league, it doesn’t get any easier for Jamie Jones-Buchanan as he faces an inform Huddersfield Giants team that are sitting third in the table. Fans of the giants will be hoping that their team can carry on their red hot form while the home fans, bereft of witnessing success in 2022, will be hoping their team can deliver them an early Easter present in the form of a first home win of the season.

After struggling in his first season, head coach Ian Watson has finally delivered on the promise that many expected when he joined Huddersfield. His team currently sit third in the table, winning 5 and losing only 2 of the first seven games of the season, as well as reaching the Challenge cup semi finals for the first time since 2012.

His team's success has been built on both a solid defence and also a spine that he has managed to gel together in a way that Leeds fans could only dream of. Only league leaders St Helens (50 points) have conceded less than the 100 points Huddersfield have conceded in 2022 and they have only conceded over 20 points on one occasion this year. Off the back of this mean defence a spine consisting of Theo Fages, Oliver Russell and Tui Lolohea have developed a chemistry that means that the giants again have the second best attack in the league behind the peerless St Helens. 

Thanks to the tireless backing of Ken Davy Huddersfield have assembled one of the strongest squads on paper. The majority of the squad is made up of players with experience in the NRL and super league however, they also have a number of the most exciting youngsters in the competition. Other than Will Pryce, who is in the middle of serving a ten match ban, the halfback Oliver Russell is the most exciting youngster at the club and Ian Watson will no doubt be pleased to be able to bring him back into the 23 man squad after injury. As mentioned before his performance level has flourished since being paired with new signing Theo Fages and they are a dangerous combination ready to unpick any defence when given the opportunity. 

As well as the backs, Huddersfield’s forward pack can on paper match anything any other club in super league can offer. Their pack is  led by a back row of Chris McQueen, Josh Jones and Luke Yates who are all  tireless in defence but also dangerous in attack. Chris McQueen has already scored 7 tries this season in all competitions in 2022. The signing of veteran Chris Hill has also proved to be an astute signing, not only for his performance on the pitch but also the knowledge that he can impart on the young props at the club.

Looking back at last year's clashes between the two teams, both were close encounters and the shares were spoiled with one win each. In round 6 Aidan Sezer was the architect of his new team's downfall as they won 14-13. The halfback scored a try and also kicked the two game winning drop goals in a game where Leeds were always ahead until the final kicks of the game. In the reverse fixture Leeds got their revenge winning 18-12 at Headingley stadium. Both teams scored three tries on the night and therefore it was a touchline conversion and two penalty kicks from Harry Newman that was the difference between the two teams. As usual when discussing the 2021 season, Kruise Leeming was excellent against his former side.

In the squad news for the two teams, Leeds have been able to welcome back Zane Tetevanoa and Brad Dwyer from their respective bans. The return of Dwyer may be crucial for the Rhinos as it gives JJB the option to move Kruise Leeming to halfback to try to improve the team's creativity in attack. Ian Watson has also been able to welcome back two key players. As well as Ollie Russell who has been mentioned above, the giants star winger Jermain McGillvary has also returned to the 23 man squad. 

When looking at what we can expect to see from the game, it is hard to look past a win for Huddersfield. In his second year at the club Ian Watson has brought together the players of his choice and got them all singing off the same hymn sheet. The giants are strong all across the park from their strong forward pack which provide a platform for their clever spine and finally their skillful outside backs who are more than capable of taking the chances created for them.

From a Leeds Rhinos point of view it is simple, the fans need to see a stark improvement in attack. Two weeks ago against St Helens the attack was dire and hopefully having a week to train will give the coaching staff time to work on attacking and the team’s patterns of play. All the way through the season Leeds have been crying out for a player to take charge of the team and march them round the pitch and on Thursday it is Blake Austin’s chance to prove that he is the man to do that. There is no donut he is a talented halfback but he is yet to show his new fans the potential that he has. Looking at the selection, I would personally be tempted to start Dwyer at hooker and Leeming at halfback as he showed last season he is a more than capable halfback.

In my heart my prediction for the game is a tight 10-8 win for Leeds however my head says that it may well be another long night for the home fans with Hudderfield winning 22-10.

Thank you for reading and remember all Leeds aren’t we.