14-1 Webb will weave his magic
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| FLYING HIGH NOW: Brent Webb is back in great form for Leeds Rhinos |
Catalans Dragons v Leeds Rhinos
LEEDS RHINOS are hardly flying right now, but the form of Kiwi full-back Brent Webb is certainly living up to his 'Superman' nickname.
The 30-year-old has been dogged by injuries in recent seasons, but is returning to the kind of form that saw him clinch a Tri Nations’ winners medal with New Zealand back in 2005.
Webb bagged his fifth try of the season (he has 14 assists) in Leeds’ narrow 26-24 loss at Wigan last week and is a great price at 14-1 (Ladbrokes) to grab the first try of the game in France.
Brian McDermott’s Rhinos, for the second occassion this season, pushed the reigning champions all the way and I think Leeds are a decent shout to edge out an in-form Catalans side.
An aggregate score of 46-44 against the Warriors this season suggests Leeds can still mix it with the best when they raise their game and, four points behind fifth-placed Dragons, McDermott’s men need to hit form soon.
A top-four finish is looking incrasingly unlikely for the former three-in-a-row champions, but Leeds will be desperate to build up some form and momentum for the end of season play-offs.
Keeping Jamie Peacock and Danny McGuire fit is key to Leeds’ aspirations. They look, quite frankly, lost without them.
Both, however, should be in action tomorrow and the away win is available at 11-8 with Skybet.
Trent Robinson’s Dragons will run Leeds close – they have won five of their last six and beat Bradford last time out with only 12 men.
Prior to that run, though, Catalans were soundly beaten 30-6 at Headingley and Leeds have enough strike players to come out on top again.
Both these teams tend to look for tries with ball in hand and have made less attacking kicks than most of their counterparts.
This will suit Leeds most – they were dreadful under the high ball at Wigan.
But Webb, McGuire and Ben Jones-Bishop all looked dangerous against Wigan and that improved display should give the Rhinos a decisive boost for this game.
SELECTION:
Leeds to win (11-8 Skybet)
Best of the rest
Castleford Tigers welcome the Bradford Bulls and are good value at 10-11 (Skybet) to return to winning ways.
Bradford hoped their win at Leeds would prove the catalyst for a change in fortunes, but defeat to 12-man Catalans shows they still have a long way to go.
Wigan should run out easy winners at Harlequins – a punt on a Cherry and Whites win with a handicap of minus 20 points catches the eye at 10-11 (Skybet).
Resurgent Hull KR, who have ran in a total of 104 points in their last two games, can stay on the
winning trail at bottom club Crusaders – 4-11 with Skybet.
Wakefield, thumped 70-14 by Rovers last week, will be on the end of another hiding – St Helens by 42 points or more is at 4-1 with Coral.
