RHINOS AND BULLS LOCK HORNS
This Friday sees Headingley Stadium play host to the most eagerly anticipated match of the Super League season so far, as Leeds Rhinos play host to the Bradford Bulls.
Ordinarily, a West Yorkshire derby involving these two sides is one of the stand-out fixtures of the Super League calendar but this week's clash takes on much more added spice.
Friday night's 2nd vs 3rd clash is the first since the Rhinos snatched victory in controversial fashion when the sides last met in the Millennium Stadium back in May.
After being awarded a dubious penalty in the final seconds, Leeds captain Kevin Sinfield lined up a goal attempt which would have levelled the game. The goal attempt rebounded off the post and straight into the arms of substitute Jordan Tansey who dived over to seal a 42-38 victory.
TV replays later showed Tansey to be offside as the kick was taken yet referee Steve Ganson refused to consult the video referee and awarded the try, sparking fury amongst the Bradford camp. Days later it emerged that in awarding the initial penalty, Ganson was acting on the incorrect advice of video referee Ashley Klein, breaching the game's guidelines on the use of video evidence.
The aftermath saw both Klein and Ganson temporarily relieved of their duties and Bradford Chairman Peter Hood even went as far to publicly request that Leeds hand over the two league points. Leeds Chief Executive Gary Hetherington added fuel to the fire by claiming that the Bulls had the opportunity to "win back" the points when the sides meet this Friday.
Those comments are sure to fire up the Bradford side, who are already riding high on the emotion of Lesley Vainikolo's last game for the club before he completes a move to Gloucester Rugby Union. The powerful Kiwi winger, dubbed 'The Volcano', has scored an incredible 148 tries in 151 games for the Bulls and will be desperate to go out on a winning note.
Rugby league spread betting fans can expect this game to extremely tight if past form is anything to go by. When the sides met at the Grattan Stadium in March, a last gasp Scott Donald try earned Leeds an 18-14 victory whilst when Bradford last travelled the short distance to Headingley, another last minute Donald try and Rob Burrow touchline conversion saw Leeds triumph by 26 points to 24.
Headingley will be full to capacity on Friday night and with so much interest surrounding the game, rugby league spread betting activity is