17 May 2019
THE LOWDOWN: GIANTS VS ROVERS
All the information you need to know ahead of Huddersfield Giants' Friday clash with Hull Kingston Rovers
The Brief:
Huddersfield look to get back to winning ways tonight against Hull Kingston Rovers. The Giants have won just two of their last six games, but were victorious against the Robins in March.
Team News:
🗞️TEAM NEWS
Simon Woolford has named an 18-man squad for Friday's fixture against @hullkrofficial
See it in full 🔽
Read more ➡️ https://t.co/X3ErBYd4uK #HuddersfieldBorn pic.twitter.com/C92Y0P6szq
— Huddersfield Giants (@Giantsrl) May 15, 2019
👥 Hull Kingston Rovers head coach Tim Sheens has named his 19-man squad to face @Giantsrl in Friday’s @Betfred @SuperLeague fixture.
📝 https://t.co/q3z59jpRZD#REDARMY pic.twitter.com/8YMzlS23wP
— Hull Kingston Rovers (@hullkrofficial) May 15, 2019
Rovers - Craig Hall, Ben Crooks, Jimmy Keinhorst, Ryan Shaw, Danny McGuire, Robbie Mulhern, Joel Tomkins, Weller Hauraki, Mitch Garbutt, Chris Atkin, Junior Vaivai, Danny Addy, George Lawler, Ryan Lannon, Kane Linnett, Josh Drinkwater, Will Oakes, Adam Rooks, Antoni Maria
The Opposition:
Hull KR have had a testing season in 2019, picking up only 4 wins and lying just 2 points ahead of bottom placed London in the Super League table.
They recruited strongly, with Josh Drinkwater and Mitch Garbutt joining an established and exciting squad in East Yorkshire, but injuries have taken their toll and games like the meeting between the Giants and Robins in March, where hooker George Lawlor played at prop, have been commonplace.
💪 More positive signs for the club following a successful week in training! Tim Sheens gives his thoughts ahead of tomorrow night's game against @Giantsrl.
📽️ https://t.co/3xkXlnrXoR#REDARMY pic.twitter.com/O46dfaU4aN
— Hull Kingston Rovers (@hullkrofficial) May 16, 2019
Form:
Huddersfield have suffered in the form table in the last few weeks, losing two of their last five, with wins over London and Castleford the only victories in a testing period for the Claret and Gold. Despite that, the performance against St Helens was encouraging and the six point loss against the League Leaders gave a great deal more confidence to the Cowbell Army.
Hull KR have picked up just one win in the last six, with the victory over Leeds the best performance of the season for the Red and Whites. A chastising loss to bitter rivals Hull on Good Friday has set the tone for a torrid few matches for the visitors.
Key Player:
Danny McGuire
The wily, experienced head in the team, Danny McGuire adds class from half-back and his absence against Huddersfield in the March fixture cost the Robins fluency in attack.
His performance in their last win of the season, against Leeds, was superb and the ability to dovetail with Josh Drinkwater was a key facet of the Rovers play.
Joe Wardle
Joe's double salvo against Saints last week showed, in essence, his crucial contribution to the team. The edge forward's powerful runs into space, combining speed and muscle, are pivotal to the attack and will be even more pivotal with Huddersfield missing Alex Mellor this week.
Wardle has been present for every single win this Season, and the club have a 0-4 record without the back-rower in the team. His tries against the Saints and Wigan this season have been possibly the most memorable - can he add another one tonight? Hear his post match comments below.
Key Battle:
Suaia Matagi vs Mitch Garbutt
Two players who have grown into the season, Suaia Matagi has quietly gone about becoming one of the Giants most efficient and powerful forwards - he made 106 metres in the Giants one-point loss to Wakefield at the start of May and was impressive in the loss to St Helens last Sunday.
He will need to get the better of Mitch Garbutt, with the battle between the two being key on and off the ball. Garbutt arrived from Leeds in the winter and has been a key leader off the field, but has missed the last few games with injury. He returns to the squad tonight and will be key if the Robins are going to get the better of the Giants.
Previous Meeting:
The Giants comfortably won the last meeting in March, 42-8. Two tries from Kruise Leeming sealing Huddersfield's first home win of 2019.
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