News

Rea says Broncos must be at their best to have any chance of beating Leeds Rhinos

Summary:

The champions will prove a tough test for the struggling London team.

Image:

By Andrew Belt

London Broncos will face an uphill struggle when they face Super League champions, Leeds Rhinos, at Headingley on Friday night.

The Broncos languish in 12th place in the table but will be hoping that 20-year-old winger, Kieran Dixon, continues to shine at one of the toughest venues in the sport.

The Hackney-born Hemel Stags product has bagged hat-tricks in the Broncos’ last two outings to Warrington Wolves and Bradford Bulls, taking his try tally to 14 in 11 games.

He has provided one of the few bright sparks in a disappointing season so far for the Twickenham Stoop-based club, and head coach Tony Rea is looking forward to tomorrow night’s challenge.

“It’s one of the great days going up to Headingley,” said the 46-year-old Australian on the Broncos club website.

“It’s a terrific ground and great place to play rugby league. Leeds are in terrific form and we know we’ll have to be at our best on Friday night to beat them.”

London will be without Tony Clubb for the testing game in West Yorkshire after the 25-year-old sustained a knee injury in the loss to Bradford, which will see the Gravesend-born utility player out for eight weeks.

Will Lovell takes Clubb’s place in the 19-man squad, which includes Ben Fisher in the place of Mike McMeeken who played in last week’s game.

A milestone will be reached by Chris Melling should he play against Leeds, which would earn him a 150th appearance for the Broncos.

Melling made his debut in 2007 and earlier this season impressed at Hemel Stags on a dual-registered deal, before being recalled by Rea to bolster the Broncos’ ranks.

London will be looking to end a run of three consecutive defeats which has made it an unhappy Easter for England’s only southern Super League club.

Photo courtesy of LondonBroncosRL via YouTube, with thanks.

Follow us @SW_Londoner

Related Articles