Both Wakefield Trinity and Hull FC will be looking to get back to winning ways when they go head to head at Belle Vue on Thursday night.
Daryl Powell’s side lost out to Warrington Wolves last weekend, with the West Yorkshire outfit pushing the Wolves close for periods of the game before fading away late on. It was Wakefield’s second loss of the season so far and they’ll be doing all they can to get back on the horse against an out of sorts Hull side.
The Black and Whites are missing a raft of players this week, but having fallen short against York Knights last time out, they’ll be pushing to set the record straight and bring an end to their two-game losing streak.
It’s only round four but this already feels like the result could have a big impact on both clubs’ seasons and both head coaches are due to make changes.
Here’s a look at how we think both sides could line up.
Daryl Powell has already promised something of a shake up to his side this week and the first of those changes is likely to come in the halves, with Mason Lino returning from injury to take up the scrum-half role.
There’s no Tyson Smoothy so Harvey Smith can claim a starting spot at hooker, while Jack Sinfield is able to come off the bench in support for spells there. Jazz Tevaga is another option at hooker and he could have a spell in the role later in the game.
A front row of Mike McMeeken and Caius Faatili should help when it comes to being dominant in the tackle early and generating quick ruck speed, with Caleb Hamlin-Uele and Tray Lolesio available to come off the bench to spell the middles, while Matty Storton offers back-row relief.
John Cartwright finds himself with a number of tricky calls to make this week following the losses of Harvey Barron and Jed Cartwright, while Aidan Sezer can be considered to be a major doubt, too, after injuring his eye last time out.
The first call, though, comes at full-back, with Zak Hardaker potentially set to make the switch to full-back. Davy Litten was one of Hull’s best in the role last time out, but he made a couple of mistakes under the high ball which Wakefield would be likely to try and exploit.
Hardaker is a safe pair of hands in that respect and his experience in the role is certainly an asset. He could drop back then, with Litten taking up his more regular centre spot.
Tom Briscoe looks set to replace Harvey Barron on the wing, while Cade Cust will be the man to play in the halves should Sezer not travel.
Liam Knight’s release opens up a hole in the starting front-row to fill. Ordinarily that would be Ligi Sao’s but he could be needed in the back-row and with Yusuf Aydin set to start at loose-forward again, the door is open for Brad Fash to start alongside Harvie Hill.
John Asiata is fit again but given the troublesome injury he is coming off, his game time will be managed once more. And, the same can be said for James Bell, who offers second-row and loose cover.
Expect Asiata to replace Aydin midway through the first half, with Bell then entering the fray in the second half to take on the 13 reins, freeing up Aydin to bolster the front row ranks.
Logan Moy’s inclusion would just provide that peace of mind should any issues crop up in the backs.
Predicted Wakefield Trinity v Hull FC line-ups
Wakefield Trinity: Max Jowitt; Oliver Pratt, Cameron Scott, Corey Hall, Jayden Myers; Jake Trueman, Mason Lino; Mike McMeeken, Harvey Smith, Caius Faatili; Seth Nikotemo, Isaiah Vagana; Jazz Tevaga
Bench: Jack Sinfield, Caleb Hamlin-Uele, Matty Storton, Tray Lolesio.
Hull FC: Zak Hardaker; Tom Briscoe, Arthur Romano, Davy Litten, Lewis Martin; Cade Cust, Jake Arthur; Harvie Hill, Amir Bourouh, Brad Fash; Connor Bailey, Ligi Sao; Yusuf Aydin
Bench: Sam Lisone, John Asiata, James Bell, Logan Moy.
