Inu expects fireworks in Rivals Round as Devils face Leopards
THE Easter Weekend brings about Rivals Round in Super League and sees Salford welcome Leigh Leopards to the Salford Community Stadium.
Fixtures between the two sides are generally fiercely contested and the growing number of players and coaching staff on each side that have lengthy associations with the opposition has only added to the intrigue in recent years.
Red Devils assistant coach Krisnan Inu is one of those, having ended his playing career with a season at Leigh Sports Village in 2022, and he knows exactly what to expect from last year’s Challenge Cup winners.
“They’re a good team and a good club,” said Inu. “They were successful last year and it showed in the trophy that they won and the way they outdid everyone’s expectations.
“There’s a lot of boys and staff here that played there or coached there – it’s called Rivals Round for a reason.
“It’s a big game for us, a big game for them and the two towns – I’ve no doubt you’ll see fireworks.”
The two sides met in Rivals Round in 2023 at Leigh Sports Village and Salford edged a thrilling contest 22-20. Inu believes that the vocal Red Devils home support can make the difference in what is set to be another tight encounter.
He said: “Whatever team you play for, you always say that your fans are the best, but for us I have absolutely no doubt that our fans are.
“To have their support is awesome. I’m fortunate that I get to see them before every game and they build us up, they give us a vibe and a bit of a kick before every game.
“To have the boys run out for the warm up to their welcoming, their cheers and their enthusiasm, I know as a past player here how big an impact it has on them and how they play.”
Salford have been boosted by the fact that influential fullback Ryan Brierley is available despite limping off the field during last week’s heavy Challenge Cup defeat at Hull KR.
It was suspected that a hamstring issue might see the former Leigh man sidelined for an extended period, but Inu joked that Brierley’s “leg is still attached, so he’s alright” and the 32-year-old has put his hand up to feature against his the club where he sits second on the all-time try-scoring charts.
Gil Dudson, who recently returned to Salford on loan from Warrington, misses out through injury, but Oliver Partington remains in contention after making his long-awaited return to the playing squad last time out.
Leigh coach Adrian Lam suggested the Red Devils’ 2016 Million Pound Game hero Gareth O’Brien is only a 50-50 chance to feature, with the Leopards expected to switch Zak Hardaker to fullback if O’Brien misses out.