1 Aug 2019

THE NUMBERS GAME: VS LEEDS

All the key stats you need to know ahead of Friday night’s massive clash between the Giants and the Rhinos.

Friday night sees the Leeds Rhinos travel to the John Smith’s Stadium, knowing that a defeat will open up a four-point gap between themselves and the Giants. Crucially for ourselves, that will also see a four-point gap between us and the dreaded relegation spot, with just five games remaining after this. Both sides had a week off last week during the Challenge Cup semi-finals, so the game has the potential to be a classic, as both sides give their all to get those massive two points.

New Rhinos skipper is key threat

Trent Merrin was an off-season recruit by the Rhinos, coming from the NRL, within five months of joining the forward was named the new captain of the club, replacing departing skipper Kallum Watkins. He has scored four tries this year, adding three assists too.

.@leedsrhinos' Trent Merrin against Castleford:

128 metres
39 tackles
3 tackle busts
1 try

👏👏👏 #NewBeginnings pic.twitter.com/CWRQUovggd
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) March 29, 2019

Merrin has made the most offloads in the Betfred Super League in 2019, with 52. On top of that, Merrin has made 2426 metres so far this season in his debut year with the Rhinos, an average gain of 7.2 metres per carry.

The Rhinos skipper also does his work in defence too, making 715 tackles so far this campaign, as well as 115 marker tackles.

Rhinos’ metre making could be key

Despite their defeat to Hull FC last time out, the Rhinos still made a lot of metres upfield, to get themselves into good field position. They will be hoping to convert it into more points against us on Friday night.

Most metres made by Leeds players v Hull FC (21.07.19)

Ash Handley – 243

Konrad Hurrell – 145

Adam Cuthbertson – 139

Jack Walker – 130

Liam Sutcliffe – 102

Darnell will be a threat

Despite playing at fullback for the majority of the season, in recent weeks, Darnell McIntosh has often played at centre. He has eleven tries so far this season, contributing to a further eleven tries for his teammates. He has featured in 22 of our 23 league games so far this campaign.

McIntosh has made 2201 metres so far in 2019, an average gain of 7.36 metres per carry. On top of this, he has also made 95 tackle busts in this season’s Betfred Super League.

Big average gains for the Giants

After our crucial win over Hull KR last time out, the strong running by some of our players in particular built a good platform for us to come away with the two points from East Yorkshire.

Average metres gained by Giants players v Hull KR (19.07.19)

🤞🤞 Another one like last time out, Gasky!

Tickets still available 🎟️: https://t.co/Dt2TO4tpCMhttps://t.co/Dt2TO4tpCM">https... href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HuddersfieldBorn?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HuddersfieldBorn pic.twitter.com/PEFPiu354O
— Huddersfield Giants (@Giantsrl) August" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/Giantsrl/s... 1, 2019