Wakefield Trinity travel to Warrington Wolves knowing that a win would all but guarantee their safety. The Wolves, though, could go back up to second with a win.
TEAM FORM GUIDE
Warrington Wolves
Danny Walker scored his side’s only try of the game as they slumped to a sub-par 22-6 defeat at the hands of Salford Red Devils last time out.
It was most certainly a case of Cup glory hangovers for the Wolves, who perhaps weren’t completely focused on the game, having enjoyed such jubilation against St. Helens only a week earlier.
The Wolves have now, incredibly, lost six league games in succession.
Wakefield Trinity
And it was Wakefield’s defeat to Wigan Warriors that cost Warrington second spot, for a week at least, as Trinity were beaten 16-24 at Belle Vue.
Tries from James Batchelor, Jacob Miller and Ben Jones-Bishop weren’t enough to stop the Warriors from recording their sixteenth win of the league campaign.
SQUAD NEWS
Warrington Wolves
Play-off hopefuls Warrington have welcomeย Australian Blake Austin back to their squad as they attempt to end their six-game winless Super League run.
The half-back’s ankle injury has seen him to miss four games, including the momentous Challenge Cup triumph over St Helens.
Warrington Wolves 19-man squad: Akauola, Austin, Charnley, D Clark, J Clark, Cooper, Currie, Goodwin, Hill, T King, Lineham, Livett, Mamo, Murdoch-Masila, Patton, Philbin, Ratchford, Smith, Tasi.
Wakefield Trinity
Jordy Crowther, Titus Gwaze and Lee Kershaw are all fit and are expected to feature.
But Coach Chris Chester is without the injured trio of Bill Tupou, James Batchelor and Chris Annakin
Wakefield Trinity 19-man squad: Arundel, Brough, Crowther, England, Escare, Green, Gwaze, Hampshire, Jones-Bishop, Kershaw, G King, Kirmond, Kopczak, Lyne, Miller, Randell, Tangata, Tanginoa, Wood.
HEAD TO HEAD
Five tries and an equal number of kicks from Declan Patton saw the Wolves hammer Trinity 30-6 in the last meeting between the two sides at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having already won the away game against Friday’s opponents 32-34 back in March.
Ben Currie, Josh Charnley, Mike Cooper, Blake Austin and Jack Johnson all scored, with Ryan Hampshire going over early on for Wakefield.
KEY BATTLE
Josh Charnley (Warrington Wolves) vs Ryan Hampshire
Whenever Charnley plays anywhere near his capacity, Warrington get the two points. Regardless of whether it’s simply placement or a stunning individual effort, the winger always delivers when he needs to and the Wolves cannot afford to lose this one if they want to claim second spot.
And Hampshire is equally as crucial for the visitors. Perhaps not as consistent as his opponent, the full-back does go missing on occasion but he remains one of Trinity’s most exciting players, so I’m backing him to turn up.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date:ย 6th September 2019
Venue:ย Halliwell Jones Stadium
Kick-off:ย 19:45 GMT
Referee:ย Chris Kendall
WHO WILL WIN?
I can’t see anything other than a Warrington win. Granted, they have been off the boil in Super League since July, but now that the Challenge Cup excursions will be out of their systems, they are going to be all guns blazing in their bid to re-take second place. Wolves win: 32-12.
