Leeds Rhinos fans would be forgiven for feeling like they've got deja vu. Thursday's Super League opener at Warrington sees the Rhinos head across the Pennines without a string of first-team regulars: and that includes the two players who are arguably their starting picks at centre.
With Harry Newman still recovering from a long-term hamstring injury and new signing Nene Macdonald not yet ready to feature, it means Leeds' backline will not be at its strongest at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Thursday night. That does not mean Rohan Smith is light on options, though. Here are the contenders in the 21-man squad Smith has named to start in the three-quarter line.
Rhyse Martin
Arguably one of the favourites to get one of the two centre berths, Martin has no shortage of experience when it comes to playing in the backline. He's done it for Leeds on a number of occasions - and he's done it admirably, too.
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His experience and leadership will certainly come in handy wherever he plays, but the Papua New Guinea international has both the ability and the skill to slot into the centres with ease. As mentioned, Smith has a glut of options at his disposal, but the goal-kicking back-rower feels like one of the leading contenders for sure.
Ash Handley
Like Martin, Handley has performed in the centres when called upon by Leeds on various occasions, and for various coaches, in the past.
But do Leeds take the risk of moving arguably their most prolific try-scorer out of his natural position for such a big game? It feels like a gamble not worth taking, particularly when you consider the options Smith has elsewhere in his squad.
Derrell Olpherts
Seen as perhaps the first-choice to start on the wings alongside Ash Handley, the new recruit from Castleford is also more than capable of moving infield to the centres, too.
Olpherts has performed as a centre regularly earlier in his career at Salford Red Devils, before moving to the Tigers and becoming regarded as a regular on the wing. He is far from a makeshift option given his experience in the role, and could be an easy pick for Smith to turn to. That would then leave a spot open on the wings though - with Liam Tindall or David Fusitu'a a contender to take that position.
David Fusitu'a
It's been another stunted pre-season for Fusitu'a, but he did return in time for Leeds' friendly against Hull Kingston Rovers. And he is another who has been given some game-time in the centres during the trial games - perhaps with round one and Warrington in mind.
Smith will have known for some time that Newman and Macdonald wouldn't be ready for Thursday's opener. That is perhaps why he has tried out players like Fusitu'a in the centres.
Luis Roberts
The 20-year-old is a natural in either the centre or the wing positions. But it is not his versatility which could count against him this week, more his seniority.
Roberts, like Leon Ruan alongside him, has been brought in as a project for Leeds to work on in the years ahead. His time will almost certainly come, potentially as early as this season if injuries continue to bite. Whether Smith will be tempted to throw him into the cauldron of the opening night of the new Super League season remains to be seen, though.
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