THAT’S MAGIC! Salford Red Devils travel to Anfield this weekend to face Hull Kingston Rovers in Magic Weekend this Sunday (kick-off 1pm).
Last time out
Salford Red Devils will be back in Merseyside this weekend following last week’s game against St Helens at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
Putting in a strong performance against the table leaders, Salford lead the game by two points at half-time after tries from Gil Dudson, Niall Evalds and Derrell Olpherts.
Further tries from Rob Lui and Evalds in the second half pushed Salford into a 14-point lead. Lachlan Coote won his hat-trick before a second try one minute later by Tommy Makinson closed the gap for Saints, bringing the scoreline to 26-30.
A controversial try decision from the video referee in the final minute of the game allowed Bentley to level the scoring before Coote’s conversion won Saints the game.
😈 Gil Dudson with Salford’s first try of the game here at @twstadium!!!
Big thank you to the amazing Salford fans who made the trip tonight!
💪 #TogetherStronger pic.twitter.com/XhJF6gAR1Y
— Salford Red Devils (@SalfordDevils) May 17, 2019
Hull Kingston Rovers also suffered a 30-22 loss at the hands of Huddersfield Giants at the John Smith’s Stadium on Friday.
Despite holding a 16-8 lead at half-time, Hull KR broke down in the second half to allow the Giants to claw back a victory at home.
Danny Addy’s late try was not enough to tip the game in Hull KR’s favour, leaving them to return home with a fifth straight loss.
Form
The Red Devils currently sit at seventh in the Betfred Super League table following last week’s unfortunate loss at St Helens
Despite a poor performance in the sixth-round of the Challenge Cup against Hull KR, Salford have shown their strength in recent away games against Warrington Wolves and London Broncos and will be looking for revenge in this afternoons Magic Weekend fixture.
Hull KR are now on a fifth straight loss in Super League fixtures, putting them at 11thin the table, coming close against Leeds Rhinos and London in the bottom three.
Head to head
Since signing for Salford in 2018, Jackson Hastings has become a fan favourite, with passionate performances on and off the pitch, winning six tries for the Red Devils in the Super League this season.
The Australian halfback will be paying tribute to close friend and former Salford player Jansin Turgut who is currently in hospital following a tragic fall in Ibiza earlier on this week with a specially modified Magic Weekend shirt.
Hastings will be going head to head with Hull KR’s Josh Drinkwater at Anfield this afternoon.
Always with you my brother. @jansinturgut ❤️ pic.twitter.com/rqsYOihGds
— Jackson Hastings (@JackoHastings) May 24, 2019
Team news
Head coach Ian Watson has named the 19-man squad that will accompany him to Anfield, with Jake Bibby re-joining the team in place of Ben Nakubuwai.
Following the tragic events this week, the club ask that all fans at Anfield will join together in singing “There’s only one Jansin Turgut” in the 23rdminute of the game to support Jansin, his family and his friends during this difficult time.
Squad
Salford:Niall Evalds, Kris Welham, Jake Bibby, Rob Lui, Lee Mossop, Gil Dudson, Josh Jones, George Griffin, Joey Lussick, Adam Walker, Greg Burke, Tyrone McCarthy, Logan Tomkins, Dan Murray, Derrell Olpherts, Ken Sio, Krisnan Inu, Pauli Pauli, Jackson Hastings.
Hull KR: Craig Hall, Ben Crooks, Jimmy Keinhorst, Ryan Shaw, Danny McGuire, Robbie Mulhern, Shaun Lunt, Mose Masoe, Joel Tomkins, Weller Hauraki, Mitch Garbutt, Chris Atkin, Danny Addy, George Lawler, Ryan Lannon, Kane Linnett, Josh Drinkwater, Will Dagger, Antoni Maria.
👀 Head coach Ian Watson has named his 19-man squad ahead of our #MagicWeekend clash against @Hullkrofficial.
🤔 Jake Bibby returns to the squad this week. Thoughts?
💪 #TogetherStronger pic.twitter.com/YoYLx4OEcd
— Salford Red Devils (@SalfordDevils) May 24, 2019
