Wigan Warriors host the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats in their opening game of the Super 8s on Friday night at the DW Stadium. Wigan and Wakefield have met twice this season already within the regular season. Both taking victories from their respective homes games.
LAST TIME OUT
Wigan come into this game on the back of 3 gut-wrenching defeats at the hands of Leeds, St Helens and more recently, a 16-12 defeat to Hull FC in the Challenge Cup semi-finals. Wigan would score the only try of the first half, through young stand-off George Williams, after a superb solo effort saw the England international use his quick feet to get over from dummy half. Hull responded well, putting pressure on a stubborn Wigan defence, who had improved greatly from previous weeks. It was a compliment to their defence when in the 24th minute, Hull FC opted to take a kick at goal after a high tackle on Chris Green. That made the scores 6-2, which is what it would be at half time. Wigan would regain their 6 point lead early in the second half when Smith kicked a penalty of his own to make the scores 8-2. This is were the game would flip on its head, when Hull FC began a fantastic and clinical 10 minute period in which they scored back to back tries through Michaels and Talanoa. Hull would follow these tries up with another penalty as Sneyd stretched their lead to 16-8. Wigan found it hard to respond and struggled to get anything going. They did manage to grab one back with about 10 minutes to go. A lovely quick-fire ball from Wigan’s best player, George Williams found Willie Isa to go over at close range. This was to be the last points of the game as Hull FC held on and recorded a battling 16-12 win to go through to the Challenge Cup Final.
Wakefield come into this game on the back of a 56-12 hammering at the hands of Warrington in the Challenge Cup semi-finals. It was Wakefield who got off to the best start, scoring early on through Craig Hall and looking the more solid side. However, after a great 10 minute period, that was to change. Warrington suddenly came alive and a combination of their quick play and slick play, they played Wakefield off the park with considerable ease. 4 first half tries from Jack Hughes, Daryl Clark, Rhys Evans and Kurt Gidley gave Warrington a 24-6 lead at half time and even at that stage, their seemed no way back for Wakefield. Warrington came out even stronger in the second half and Wakefield just looked like they wanted that final whistle to come. A further 6 second half tries from Chris Sandow, Stefan Ratchford, Ben Currie, Ben Westwood and a brace from Toby King just added further humiliation to the already deflated Wakefield team. A late try from Max Jowitt was little consolation as Wakefield crashed out of the Challenge Cup with a 56-12 battering. Wakefield did have eight senior players missing from the game, and with skipper Danny Kirmond making his return, he too was still carrying a knock and was way off the pace. They aren’t in a great place at the moment, with a further three players missing out this week.
KEY BATTLES
An interesting battle will be played out in the halves as Wigan’s pairing of Smith and Williams haven’t really been in great form as a duo in recent weeks. While Williams has continued to be Wigan’s best player, Smith has struggled to make an influence on the pitch. If those two players get on the same page and start playing the great rugby we know they can, Wigan will win this game comfortably. On the other side, Miller and Finn have been a real un-sung partnership this season, both have been real influential for the Wildcats and both can be a dangerous when in space.
With Ben Jones-Bishop missing this weeks game with Wigan. Wakefield will be forced into another shake up on the pitch and this can only hinder them even more. Wigan welcome back Josh Charnely, who has been one of the best wingers in Super League this season. They’ve missed him in the past 2 games and his return will only help Wigan in their attack.
Wigan also welcome back Frank-Paul Nu’uausala who hasn’t made the greatest of starts too his Warriors career. However, he’s a big lad who can add some much needed strength and power to the Wigan forward line, which will also help Wigan to win the battle down the middle, something they haven’t managed to do for a few weeks now. If Wigan can speed up their ruck, and get control of the game early on, they will do to Wakefield what Warrington did last week.
PREDICTIONS
Wigan will be desperate to get off to a good start in the Super 8s, and with recent results and performances, they will be more than ready to turn around their fortunes. They wont have a better chance than this, they are at home against a struggling Wakefield side with many key players missing.
Wigan Warriors by 20
SQUADS
Wigan Warriors 19-man squad: John Bateman, Josh Charnley, Dom Crosby, Ben Flower, Oliver Gildart, Willie Isa, Dom Manfredi, Lee Mossop, Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Sean O’Loughlin, Sam Powell, Dan Sarginson, Jake Shorrocks, Matty Smith, Ryan Sutton, Taulima Tautai, Lewis Tierney, Sam Tomkins, George Williams.
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 19-man squad: Tinirau Arona, Joe Arundel, Jordan Crowther, David Fifita, Liam Finn, Craig Hall, Max Jowitt, Reece Lyne, Judah Mazive, Jacob Miller, Scott Moore, Frazer Morris, Nick Scruton, Liam Senior, Mikey Sio, Anthony Tupou, Bill Tupou, Jason Walton, Andy Yates.
MATCH DETAILS
Referee: Scott Mikalauskas
Venue: DW Stadium, Wigan
Date/Time: Friday 5th August 2016 – 20:00pm GMT
