Let’s keep up the tension on Rhinos
● WIDNES interim boss Francis Cummins is looking forward to returning to his old stamping ground on Friday night.
The 41 year-old spent 17 years at the Vikings’ opponents this week, Leeds Rhinos, first as a player and subsequently on the coaching staff.
However, he has no sense of split loyalties as he tries to help Widnes bring to an end a run of 14 consecutive defeats in the Betfred Super League.
The Rhinos have also been in poor form having lost their previous eight league games before last weekend’s 20-20 home draw with Wakefield Trinity.
Cummins wants to turn the screw on his former club.
He said: “I’m looking forward to keeping the tension on them.
“As we’ve experienced a bit ourselves, a bit of tension from the home crowd can affect you.
“If we start well we put all the pressure on them because nobody expects us to do anything – and I know we can.
“Leeds are desperate to get some form but they’re struggling at the moment.
“They’ve got a lot of players you’d like on your roster but momentum can affect anyone. They’ve got all that experience but it’s difficult when it starts going against you, as we know.”
Theoretically, ninth-placed Leeds could still fight their way out of the bottom four and avoid the dreaded Qualifiers. To do so they would need to win their last two regular season games and hope results went for them elsewhere.
By way of contrast, the Vikings’ 26-24 loss to Hull KR last Saturday confirmed they would finish bottom of the table.
With Stefan Marsh suffering a knee injury against Hull KR, winger Patrick Ah Van returns to the squad having featured on dual-registration for North Wales Crusaders last weekend.
Salford loannee Weller Hauraki also returns alongside teenage back-rower Brad Walker. There is no place in the 19 for fullback Rhys Hanbury or second row forward Sam Wilde.