CHALLENGE CUP ROUND 6 | Warrington Wolves vs Wigan Warriors
Last years cup finalists, Warrington welcome local rivals Wigan to the Halliwell Jones for this 6th Round tie in the Coral Challenge Cup. Here’s everything you need to know…
TEAM FORM GUIDE
Warrington Wolves
Steve Price’s men come into this one back in form since the shock defeat to Salford on Good Friday. They sit second in the league, and are on a three game winning streak. However, they will want to improve on their last cup performance, when they lost in the final 20-14 to Catalans last year.
Wigan Warriors
Adrian Lam’s men are starting to show signs of old, following their shaky start to the season. Currently in eighth, and on a three game winning streak as well, with their last defeat, also coming on Good Friday, against St Helens. However, they will be looking for revenge against there opponents in this one, after the Wire dumped the Warriors out of the cup last year, 23-0.
SQUAD NEWS
Warrington Wolves
Ben Murdoch-Masilla has come back into Steve Price’s 19 man squad, with Ben Westwood dropping out. Jack Johnson is also missing, however he was a late addition last time out.
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Warrington Wolves 19-man squad: Sitaleki Akauola, Ryan Atkins, Blake Austin, Josh Charnley, Daryl Clark, Jason Clark, Mike Cooper, Ben Currie, Matt Davis, Bryson Goodwin, Chris Hill, Jack Hughes, Toby King, Harvey Livett, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Dec Patton, Joe Philbin, Stefan Ratchford, Lama Tasi.
Wigan Warriors
Adrian Lam welcomes back Tony Clubb and Joe Burgess, replacing Morgan Escare and Oliver Partington. Lam also highlighted earlier this week that Dan Sarginson stands a chance of making the 17 on Sunday after missing a number of weeks with an ankle injury.
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Wigan Warriors 19-man squad: Joe Bullock, Joe Burgess, Tony Clubb, Ben Flower, Oliver Gildart, Jake Greenwood, Chris Hankinson, Zak Hardaker, Willie Isa, Tommy Leuluai, Liam Marshall, Romain Navarrete, Sean O’Loughlin, Sam Powell, Dan Sarginson, Jake Shorrocks, Morgan Smithies, Taulima Tautai, George Williams.
HEAD TO HEAD
This is the third consecutive year these two sides have met in the Cup. With Wigan winning in 2017, and Warrington winning last year. However, this is the fifth meeting between theses two sides in the last twelve months. With Wigan winning three time, including the Grand Final, and Warrington twice. The last meeting between these two sides, Warrington beat the Cherry and Whites in a brutal contest, eventually coming out 25-12 victors in March.
Former Wigan player, Josh Charnley has scored for his side three times in the last five meetings, and currently sits third in the try scoring list so far, only behind team mate Blake Austin, and Leeds Ash Handley. But with this being the first of two meetings between these two sides in the next three weeks, both sides will be looking to build momentum, as they get ready to face off at Magic Weekend.
KEY BATTLE
Blake Austin (Warrington Wolves) v George Williams (Wigan Warriors)
The key battle is of the Halfbacks. In the Wolves corner is Blake Austin. The magician, currently leads the Man of Steel table and the try scoring list. He has been scoring for fun in the league so far, and will be looking to continue that form as he play in the cup for this first time in this one. With his quick thinking, high press game, can he find the gaps, to make Wigan pay.
Whilst for Wigan is George Williams. Who currently sits 16th on the man of steel rankings with seven points, and 17th on the try scoring table with eight tries. Although his side got of to a slow start, he has been leading them back up the table. Saying earlier this week that his side “owe them one”, can he lead his side to that, or will Warrington make it two from two this season against there rivals?
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: Saturday May 12, 2019
Venue: The Halliwell Jones Stadiun
Kick-off: 2:15pm
Referee: J Childs
WHO WILL WIN?
I feel that the Wolves will just have too much in this one. I believe that the home crowd, and the superior league position to their rivals, will be enough for the Primrose and Blue, however, can the cup throw up a surprise victory. Wolves win by 8
