Rugby League Tips: Untested defences = big points scored
“I expect the Exiles to come out on top, but a handicap of six points isn’t far off the mark in my book, so given the limited time the sides’ have had to prepare their defence, combined with the attacking talent on display, over 46.5 points at [2.0] looks the call.”
Stuart Jones looks at the Friday night special between England and Exiles as well as Bradford’s Super League test against St Helens
The inaugural match-up between England and the Exiles takes place at Headingley on Friday evening and, with the RL marketing team on overtime since February, they will be bitterly disappointed if it’s not close to a sell-out.
England have been rocked by injuries to two of their key playmakers, with James Roby (fractured eye-socket) and Danny Brough (ankle) both forced out of Steve McNamara’s plans late on. Roby and Brough have been two of Super League’s standout performers this season and both will be sorely missed, Brough’s kicking game way ahead of anybody else’s in the England ranks.
The concept of the Exiles is basically to pick the crème-de-la-crème of foreign Super League talent to provide a sterner test of our International side than the previous friendlies against France.
Brian McClennan has returned to coach the side and he has been able to pick a very strong 18-man squad, though it is a shame that the maximum three players from any one club rule has meant that Michael Monaghan was left out.
It’s hard to pick too many weaknesses in the Exiles squad. Tony Puletua, David Faalago and Kylie Leulaui provide plenty of bulk in the forwards, and with Brett Hodgson and Rangi Chase in the backline, they won’t lack for creativity.
I expect the Exiles to come out on top, but a handicap of six points isn’t far off the mark in my book, so given the limited time the sides’ have had to prepare their defence, combined with the attacking talent on display,
Not having a single player in the England squad speaks volumes about the downturn in the Bradford Bulls‘ fortunes over the last few seasons, though they are lucky to be facing an in-form St Helens side on the same weekend that the majority of their stars are involved in the International fixture. How many players that backup from Friday’s game will have a huge impact on the current handicap line of eight points, as will the participation of James Roby, who faces a race against time to be fit for Sunday afternoon. The Bulls have managed to string a couple of wins together in recent weeks and put up a gutsy display as they lost narrowly to Wigan in the Challenge Cup despite being reduced to 12 men in the first half. Their defence looking more assured than it did earlier in the year. Even if all of the Saints players involved in the Exiles game do figure at Odsal, it’s hard to imagine that they will play that much of a part, or be at the top of their game, so the Bulls in the outright market is the best bet.Similar Posts:
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