Fax coach Marshall shifts pressure on Leigh

Halifax coach Richard Marshall insists all the pressure is on Leigh ahead of their huge top four battle on Sunday.

Fax head to LSV in third and three points ahead of the Centurions, who are currently sixth in the Championship.

No side in the history of the Super 8s has made the top four with more than seven defeats, but with eight games remaining, the Centurions have already lost six.

With trips to Toulouse and Toronto around the corner for the Centurions, Marshall believes Leigh can’t afford to lose the game.

“It’s a big game for both teams,” Marshall said.

“But if we look at the context of the top four it is a must-win game for Leigh. They can’t afford any more slip-ups.

“They’ve not played at home for a few weeks and their fans will be very vocal and get behind the team.

“We’ll have to combat all that, we’ll have to make sure we keep our discipline. We can only address and control what we do, the referee will have to control the ruck and everything that goes on in that.

“If we put our best 17 out and we play to the best of our capabilities we have a good shout. If we don’t do that they’ll fancy their chances.

“They’ve had a few shaky performances recently and we’ve been playing well, not consistently over two halves but our levels have increased over the last few weeks and if we can get an extra five or 10 per cent again we’ll have a shout.”

Peter Mata’utia will begin a five-match suspension for the Centurions, and while Marshall believes Leigh can cover his absence, he admits it is a boost for Fax, who will be without key backs Will Sharp and Steve Tyrer.

“He’s been one of the standout players in the competition this year.

“What a find he’s been and he’s done it having played around a bit at centre and fullback. He’ll be a big loss to them but they’ve got a strong squad and someone will come in and do that job and it’s something we’ve got to combat. But it won’t do us any harm.”