Match Thread; pre-season friendly, Featherstone Rovers v Leeds Rhinos Friday 24th January 2020

[The Phantom Horseman]

So the final pre-season game takes place on Friday. It's clear from comments made by Richard Agar in the press that we probably won't be seeing too many of Leeds' 1st team here, but that doesn't mean their line-up won't be of interest for us. For a start, it sounds like we could see plenty of the lads who might feature for us on DR this season, and in any case Leeds have enough fringe players who are SL or high-end Championship quality that they can still field a good team, though apaprently they have been hit by illness, which had a knock-on effect on the DR options we had at Hull KR.

Hopefully we might see runouts for the likes of Ferres and Ferguson this weekend. No recent updates lately on the fitness of Carey and Render, and it will be interesting to see if Luke Briscoe plays for Leeds (which might indicate he's going to be available to us on DR if he does). Otherwise, I thought Gareth Gale took another big step forward at Hull KR, where he played on the wing and totally dominated his opposite number Ethan Ryan, twice tackling him into touch and then swatting him away to score his try.

Other positions that we don't know about in terms of the team for the starting line-up in the regular season are which DR players we use (I'd still be surprised if we don't play McLelland if he's available), and what we are going to do in terms of back-up hooker. Parata looked really, really good at Hull KR - I thought we might suffer a big drop-off at 9 following the loss of King & Jones but if he plays like that every week we'll be fine, he caused HKR real problems and will thrive on the offloading of Susino and Albert.

However, whether he's an 80-minute hooker I don't know. Looks like Bussey is the default replacement option for now as with Leeds' Corey Johnson unfit we don't have many other choices.

Looks like Harrison is earmarked for the starting right back-row slot with presumably Ferres set for the left edge and hopefully a fruitful link-up with Chisholm. That leaves Susino (who was very good again against Hull KR), Ferguson, Albert, Cooper, Bussey and Lockwood as middles, plus any DR when needed. I do think that looks a very strong pack on paper, am reasonably optimistic about the season at the moment.

 

[Steve Slater]

I'd like to see Gaz Gale pitted against Jack Broadbent, two rising stars who could be competing for the same starting spot in the centres in the near future?

[The Phantom Horseman]

Both squads named:
https://www.featherstonerovers.co.uk/news/squad-named-for-leeds-rhinos-clash-r59Y7

Coooper, who took a knock against HKR, misses out, but Ferres, Ferguson and Worthington all might return. Still no Carey or Render.

Leeds as anticipated have named a squad consisting largely of fringe players/youngsters. Plenty of familiar names though including McLelland, Briscoe, Broadbent, Dupree, Mustapah, O'Connor etc, plus a chance to have a look at Tom Holroyd.

Leeds played a similar type of squad in this game last year and beat us narrowly after we rested a few of our senior players in the 2nd half. Hopefully will be a good run out for us anyway.

 

[Les Tonks Sidestep]

Beckett and Carey added to squad.

[Gareth hock]

What’s happening with Dakota Whylie hes shown on the website to still be with us but has anyone anymore information on him he hasn’t played in any friendlys surely he’s still not injured?

[gazza77]

Just now, Gareth hock said:

What’s happening with Dakota Whylie hes shown on the website to still be with us but has anyone anymore information on him he hasn’t played in any friendlys surely he’s still not injured?

Think he's still not fully fit. 

[Monkeymagic22]

2 hours ago, gazza77 said:

Think he's still not fully fit. 

Strange that we gave him a new contract given he’s been out for so long and still isn’t ready. Let’s hope it works out ok.

[gazza77]

1 hour ago, Monkeymagic22 said:

Strange that we gave him a new contract given he’s been out for so long and still isn’t ready. Let’s hope it works out ok.

I suspect that he's not far off, and I'd doubt he's getting much above pay as you play. He'll get opportunities in the joint reserves once fit to see how he goes. 

[Monkeymagic22]

9 hours ago, gazza77 said:

I suspect that he's not far off, and I'd doubt he's getting much above pay as you play. He'll get opportunities in the joint reserves once fit to see how he goes. 

That would seem to be a decent shout, which would work for the lad and the club. Definitely had potential before the injury, so let’s hope he gets back to his best.

[jamescolin]

Still laid up with aftermath of problem. Any comments on match would be welcome. Cheers.

[The Phantom Horseman]

22-0 to Fev at half time. Some sparkling handling moves at times with some extravagant passing especially from Craig Hall.

The only concern though was a yellow card for Chisholm for a tip tackle on Luke Briscoe. Didn't have the best view so we will have to see if there are consequences from the disciplinary.

[hrtbps]

It's being broadcast live on the club's YouTube channel:

 

[jamescolin]

3 hours ago, hrtbps said:

It's being broadcast live on the club's YouTube channel:

 

Many Thanks for that.. 

[Blue Pike]

Does anyone know if Bussey has an injury as he looked in pain when bending over

[Private Baldrick]

1 hour ago, Blue Pike said:

Does anyone know if Bussey has an injury as he looked in pain when bending over

Mmm, I thought it was the case where someone felt the pain AFTER they bent over?

[The Phantom Horseman]

Webster said there were a couple of knocks they'd have to check the next day. Susino hobbled off near the end and had an ice pack on his knee though people didn't seem especially concerned on the sideline. Hope he's ok as he's been very good so far.

[Blue Pike]

23 hours ago, Private Baldrick said:

Mmm, I thought it was the case where someone felt the pain AFTER they bent over?

What a fantastic avitar  .Looking forward to celebrating Independence day with my large family this Friday. Hope Fev can gain promotion as well in this year

[Private Baldrick]

Just now, Blue Pike said:

What a fantastic avitar  .Looking forward to celebrating Independence day with my large family this Friday. Hope Fev can gain promotion as well in this year

Absolutely. 

[Monkeymagic22]

1 hour ago, Private Baldrick said:

Absolutely. 

This is a forum about Rugby League, not politics . 

[Private Baldrick]

13 hours ago, Monkeymagic22 said:

This is a forum about Rugby League, not politics . 

I didn't raise the issue of politics and my answer was in relation to hoping Fev gain promotion this year. Thanks for your concern though.

[jamescolin]

23 hours ago, Blue Pike said:

What a fantastic avitar  .Looking forward to celebrating Independence day with my large family this Friday. Hope Fev can gain promotion as well in this year

Not with the word 'avitar'. Did you mean 'avatar' ?  With relation to RL that could have a connection with the ball in 'Pass Over'. Or is there some reincarnation about? Or because of Brexit are you a released soul? As we have to stick to RL have we signed a player who is very similar to a departed soul who looks as if he has returned? Or is Avitar a new word I haven't heard before?