Ali Hoping For
Happier Return

Ali Lauitiiti will be hoping Leeds Rhinos can get back to winning ways this Friday when they take on Salford City Reds at Headingley, kick off 8pm, and give the giant Kiwi double reasons to celebrate.

The New Zealand international will celebrate his 26th birthday on Wednesday but the celebrations will be on hold until after Friday?s crunch engage Super League clash with Salford.

The Rhinos will be looking to bounce back from only their third defeat of the season last weekend to London in Perpignan and are now just one point clear of second place St Helens in the table.

Tony Smith has announced his initial 20 man squad for Friday?s game with teenager Scott Murrell coming into the squad from last week giving Smith more options with his half back pairings in the continued absence of captain Kevin Sinfield. Francis Cummins and Nick Scruton are also added to the 17 who suffered defeat in the South of France.

The squad in full is: 1. Richard Mathers 2. Mark Calderwood 3. Chev Walker 4. Keith Senior (c) 5. Marcus Bai 6. Danny McGuire 7. Rob Burrow 8. Ryan Bailey 9. Matt Diskin 10. Barrie McDermott 11. Ali Lauitiiti 12. Chris McKenna 14. Andrew Dunemann 15. Danny Ward 16. Willie Poching 18. Jamie Jones-Buchanan 20. Gareth Ellis 22. Nick Scruton 24. Scott Murrell 27. Francis Cummins

Thanks to Leeds Rhinos Newsletter for this great article.