Super League 
/ Stuart Jones / 17 February 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Can Hull stop Rob Burrow?
"I fancy Leeds to come back from a half-time deficit and clinch the points."
Stuart Jones selects the best bets as the Super League gets down to business in week two. Look out for a Rhino's comeback on Friday and watch the Giants chase victory on Saturday...
It's the calm after the storm as far as Super League XVI is concerned this weekend. After a marathon of live Millennium Magic action last week, the Sky cameras will be at just two games for round two.
Hull play host to Leeds at the KC Stadium on the first of those on Friday evening and the performances of the two sides last weekend could barely have been more contrasting. Richard Agar's side raced into a 14-0 lead inside as many minutes against their fierce rivals KR, only to leak 28 unanswered points as they eventually slumped to a 34-22 defeat.
The Airlie birds have consistently been amongst the biggest spenders in Super League, but whilst last year's sixth place finish was a creditable effort, they are yet to hint at the progression required to challenge the big four.
It was noticeable how quickly Hull began to tire last week and, like last year, it seems too much is being asked of Danny Houghton and Craig Fitzgibbon. The signing of Sam Obst during the week may take some pressure off Houghton, but they still go into the game with too many players out of position. Richard Whiting will never have the pace to be a full back, Jordan Turner isn't up to scratch as a stand-off in Super League and Lee Radford is a hard-working back-row forward, not a prop.
Last week's unlikely victory over Bradford showed just how dangerous the Rhinos are when the game begins to break up. They looked dead and buried when 28-10 down in the second half, but as the Bulls began to falter, Leeds came into their own, the pace of Burrow and Jones-Bishop proving all too much for a tiring Bradford side.
With that in mind, I expect Hull to again start strongly, but the lack of balance in the side will surely play to Leeds' strengths over the 80 minutes, and just like the last meeting between the clubs at the KC Stadium in September, I fancy Leeds to come back from a half-time deficit and clinch the points.
Saturday night's game between Castleford and Huddersfield looks a little easier to call. Both teams impressed when getting off to winning starts in Cardiff, but Huddersfield faced the far sterner test as they beat Warrington 28-18.
Quite possibly the most underrated player in Super League, Castleford's Rangi Chase was a joy to watch as he steered his side to a comfortable victory over Wakefield on Saturday, scoring one try and having a hand in three others.
However, Chase won't be expecting such an armchair ride this weekend and I can't see how the Castleford pack can stop Huddersfield getting on top and limiting the quality of ball he has to work with.
Huddersfield's pack was on the front foot from the word go last weekend and I don't rate the Tigers forwards even close to that of Warrington's. That will make all the difference here and the away side have to be backed conceding -7.5pts.
Recommended bets:
Back Hull/Leeds @ [7.0] in the half-time/full-time market
Back Huddersfield Giants -7.5 pts at [1.91]
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