 |
| LAND OF THE GIANTS: Willie Mason will line-up against Eorl Crabtree |
BIG Willie Mason, as his name suggests, rarely gives little away in size but Huddersfield Giants’ Eorl Crabtree provides one such anomaly.
The Yorkshire club’s popular prop, nephew of legendary professional wrestler Shirley “Big Daddy” Crabtree, stands two inches taller than his Austrlian counterpart at 6ft 6in and looks set to play his part in an almighty clash of the titans down the middle of the park.
Mason himself is anything but popular on these shores after flooring Stuart Fielden and Sean Long in off-the-ball incidents during Great Britain’s 2006 Tri-Nations campaign.
The 30-year-old will no doubt be a target for some of Super League’s more volatile characters and the Giants’ mean forward line will provide Mason with his sternest test in England to date.
Huddersfield, who have enjoyed one of the top defensive records over the last few years in Super League, have shipped just 92 points in six games.
 |
| TALL ORDER: Can Crabtree inspire Huddersfield to beat Hull KR? |
With Rovers missing their creative lynchpin, half-back Michael Dobson, the Giants look outstanding value at 8-13 with Betfred to outscore their hosts.
Dobson’s boot is integral to Rovers’ gameplan and I expect his 10-week absence due to ankle surgery to hit the Robins hard.
Mason’s arrival is a boost, but four defeats from their opening six contests suggests coach Justin Morgan needs his talisman back sooner, rather than later.
Without Dobson’s kicking game, the emphasis is on Rovers’ pack to make up the hard yards and they are struggling.
And, while it is the clash of the giants in Mason and Crabtree that provides a great sub-plot to this clash, it is Huddersfield’s hooker Luke Robinson and stand-off Kevin Brown that will prove decisive.
Robinson made a try-scoring return from injury last week and his lively attacking play makes him an eye-catching 20-1 with Hills to grab the first try.
Nathan Brown’s men had enough possession and territory to bag the points in last week’s 20-6 defeat to Wigan, but made some poor final decisions against the competition’s best defence.
I can’t see that happening twice and, thanks to their solid defence, the Giants can clinch this by 13+ points at 7-4 with Blue Square.
Winner: Giants to win (8-13 Betfred)
Score Tip: Giants by 13+ points (7-4 Blue Square)
First Tryscorer: Luke Robinson (20-1 William Hill)
Catalans v Salford (Saturday)
IN today’s other contest, Catalans can clinch two points against Salford in France. The Dragons were 32-22 victors at Crusaders last time out and were marginally defeated by Saints in their last home
fixture.
Trent Robinson’s men (1-3 Betfred) face a tough task against a Salford side who romped past Hull KR last week, but the City Reds have been battered in two of their three away games and look a little vulnerable on the road.
Australian Scott Dureau has seven tries to his name already and is sparkling with value at 25-1 (Hills) to open the scoring.
Winner: Catalans to win (1-3 Betfred)
Score Tip: Catalans by 1-12 points (12-5 Paddy Power)
First Tryscorer: Scott Dureau (25-1 William Hill)
Wakefield Wildcats v Leeds Rhinos (Sunday)
Tomorrow’s action should see Leeds Rhinos – desperate to entertain this season with a staggering 113 offloads already – return to winning ways at Wakefield.
The Blue and Amber enjoyed enough possession and territory to beat Saints with some ease last week, but coach Brian McDemott’s over emphasis on entertaining rugby is costing Leeds points.
Too many knock-ons and dropped ball are hurting Leeds right now but, with a little fine tuning, this approach may deliver. On paper, the Rhinos, despite a bulky injury list, should edge this with few problems at 2-11 with Betfred.
Young centre Kallum Watkins is a real talent and nicely priced to grab the first try at 12-1 with Hills.
Winner: Leeds to win (2-11 Betfred)
Score Tip: Leeds by 16-20 points (11-2 Stan James)
First Tryscorer: Kallum Watkins (12-1 William Hill)
Castleford v Crusaders (Sunday)
Early pace-setters Castleford can return to winning ways against a Crusaders outfit who have lost their last five games.
Jarrod Sammut has run in six tries for the Welsh side, but the Tigers have been very impressive at The Coliseum and I expect them to bag another two points – 1-4 with Hills.
Ranghi Chase has been running the show for Terry Matterson’s men, but I’m backing full-back Richie Mathers to grab his first Tigers try at 22-1 (Betfred).
Winner: Castleford to win (1-4 William Hill)
Score Tip: Tigers by 21-25 points (9-1 William Hill)
First Tryscorer: Ritchie Mathers (22-1 Betfred)
Harlequins v Hull FC (Sunday)
In this weekend’s final match, home advantage should prove enough for Harlequins to edge out a out-of-sorts Hull FC to increase the pressure on coach Richard Agar (11-8 Sky Bet).
Quins were spanked last time out by Wolves, so will be up for this one, while the Airlie Birds have looked clueless at times this campaign.
Winner: Quins to win (11-8 Sky Bet)
Score Tip: Quins by 1-12 points (15-8 bet365)
First Tryscorer: Luke Dorn (10-1 William Hill)
