Warrington welcome eighth-placed Wakefield to the Halliwell Jones Stadium for this round 19 Super League clash. With both sides coming off a loss, it could be a fiesty battle as both sides look to bounce back. Here is everything you need to know.
TEAM FORM GUIDE
Warrington Wolves
Steve Price’s men are looking to bounce back following their 16-14 defeat against Hull KR. They currently sit second in the league, six points off leaders St Helens. The Wire’s league form is 13 wins from 18 games.
Wakefield Trinity
Chris Chester’s men are also looking to bounce back following their 44-20 defeat to Salford last time out. They currently sit eighth, four points clear of the bottom three sides. Trinity’s league form is eight wins from 18 games.
SQUAD NEWS
Warrington Wolves
Steve Price has named a 20-man squad rather than the usual 19. He has brought Daryl Clark and Joe Philbin back into the side, with Harvey Livett dropping out after leaving on a month-long loan to Hull KR.
Warrington’s 20-man squad: Akauola, Atkins, Austin, Charnley, D Clark, J Clark, Cooper, Currie, Davis, Goodwin, Hill, Hughes, Johnson, King, Mamo, Murdoch-Masila, Patton, Philbin, Tasi, Walker.
Wakefield Trinity
Chris Chester has made three changes to his side that lost last time out. David Fifita and Mason Caton-Brown both return from injury and Connor Bailey is brought back in following his Academy Origin match last week.
They replace Danny Kirkmond, Tyler Randell (both for injury) and Ben Renyolds.
Both Connor Bailey and Titus Gwaze could make their debuts for Trinity this week.
Wakefield 19-man squad: Bailey, Brough, Caton-Brown, Croft, Crowther, England, Fifita, Gwaze, Hampshire, Hirst, Jones-Bishop, Kershaw, King, Kopczak, Lyne, Miller, Pauli, Tanginoa, Wood
HEAD TO HEAD
The last time these two sides met was back in March when Warrington ran out 32-34 winners, after Danny Brough failed to add the conversion goal in the last minute to take the game to golden point. Top scorers for both teams were Josh Charnley (Wolves) and Kyle Wood (Trinity), who each got two tries apiece.
However, in the last five meetings, Warrington have won four and Wakefield one, but the last win for Trinity occurred nearly two years ago.
Warrington score on average 29.6 points per game (148 points over the last five) whilst for Wakefield, they have scored on average 27 points per game (135 points in the last five).
KEY BATTLE
Blake Austin (Warrington) v Jacob Miller (Wakefield)
The battle of the halfbacks is the main battle to watch out for in this match. In the home side’s corner is current Man of Steel front-runner and top tryscorer, Blake Austin. The 28-year-old has had a blistering start to life in the UK. With 17 tries in the league and 24 Man of Steel points, he has also had 11 try assists this year. A threat from anywhere, will he work his magic in this one?
In the opposition’s corner is Jacob Miller. The influential half-back has been key for Wakefield this season. Linking with Danny Brough, the 26 year-old has been a Belle Vue favourite. He is also a threat from anywhere and has scored three tries as well as 10 try assists. Wire will need to watch him for this match.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: Friday 21st June 2019
Venue: Halliwell Jones Stadium
Kick-off: 7.45pmย
Referee: Liam Moore
WHO WILL WIN?
I think that Warrington will win this one comfortably. Although Trinity do welcome back Fifita, they do lack the quality of the Wire in certain departments. Also, the Halliwell Jones crowd will give the Wolves that extra boost to bounce back. Warrington win by 24.
