Leeds Rhinos have their most important game of 2022 coming up as they travel to Hull KR on Friday evening, with both sides desperate to keep their playoff dreams alive.
Just one point splits the Yorkshire rivals heading into the contest. Still, the game has some extra spice added to it due to the fact Rovers have several ex-Rhinos within their set-up, including club legend Danny McGuire, who is currently the Robins' interim head coach after the dismissal of Tony Smith in July.
With Leeds missing an abundance of players to suspensions and injuries, it will be a tough ask for the Rhinos, and here are three Hull KR players they will have to contain in order to continue their fine run of form.
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Ryan Hall
One of Leeds' greatest wingers of all time. Ryan Hall is a legend in West Yorkshire, winning 12 trophies over 11 years with the Rhinos. However, skip forward to 2022, and Hall has found a home in East Hull after returning from the NRL. At 34 years of age, the England winger is still one of the best meter makers in Super League, and with 11 tries to his name so far this season, his eye for the line hasn't slowed down during his twilight years. To have any chance of winning, Rohan Smith's side must prevent Hall and his left-hand edge from getting into space, just as they did in the reverse fixture back in April.
Matt Parcell
Another former Rhino who will be looking to get one over his former club is Matt Parcell. The Australian hooker has been one of the catalysts for Rovers' recent rise in the game, as he and dummy-half partner Jez Litten have created a formidable bond over the past three seasons. Rovers will try to speed the ruck up in attack, with Parcell the heartbeat of everything KR do down the middle. His constant scoots from the play-the-ball are a real handful for the opposition and will need to be addressed by the Rhinos early on before he gets a foothold in the contest.
George King
Recently appointed Ireland captain for this year's World Cup, George King has been one of Hull KR's top performers in 2022 and has left plenty of forwards in his wake. King's engine and no-nonsense attitude are second-to-none, but if Leeds can weather the storm when he and fellow starting prop Matty Storton are on, they'll have a real chance of taking the two points back down the M62. KR's intensity does sometimes drop when King takes a breather, and Rohan Smith will be reiterating how vital a good start to the game may be at Craven Park. In the Rhinos corner, it will be Mikolaj Oledzki who will have the task of stopping King in his tracks, as once again, it looks like the contest will be a battle of attrition, with the forward packs aiming to set a platform for their playmakers and wide-men.
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