The weekend gets underway with Wigan Warriors hosting their third and final encounter with Hull Kingston Rovers in 2019. Here’s everything you need to know…
TEAM FORM GUIDE
Wigan
Adrian Lam’s side have endured a fine run of form, winning seven of their previous eight games. Lifting them to fourth in the Super League table.
The Cherry and Whites also have one of the strongest home records this season which has spanned to seven wins out of eleven. One of them was a thrashing over their latest opponents, more on that later….
Hull KR
Hull Kingston Rovers are a team that’s defying the odds since the arrival of Tony Smith, winning four out of their previous eight games under the Grand Final winning coach.
Notable wins have come against Warrington, Hull FC, Leeds and not to mention that thrilling encounter against Castleford where Danny McGuire’s drop-goal sealed their first win by Golden Point.
SQUAD NEWS
Wigan
Speaking to the media earlier this week, Lam confirmed that new signing Bevan French would be available for selection for Friday’s game.
The new signing is included with three changes as Ben Flower, Joe Greenwood and French will come in for Sean O’Loughlin, Jake Shorrocks and Chris Hankinson.
Wigan’s 19-man squad: Joe Burgess, Liam Byrne, Tony Clubb, Liam Farrell, Ben Flower, Bevan French, Oliver Gildart, Joe Greenwood, Zak Hardaker, Willie Isa, Tommy Leuluai, Liam Marshall, Romain Navarrete, Ollie Partington, Sam Powell, Jarrod Sammut, Dan Sarginson, Morgan Smithies, George Williams.
Hull KR
Loose-forward Kyle Trout is named in the 19-man squad for the first time after signing at the club from Dewsbury Rams on Monday morning, whilst playmaker Will Dagger is recalled following his recent return from a loan spell at Featherstone Rovers.
Half-back Mikey Lewis is also selected in Smith’s preliminary squad and could make his Super League debut, but there is no place for winger Craig Hall or forwards Mitch Garbutt and Owen Harrison.
Hull KR’s 19-man squad: Adam Quinlan, Ben Crooks, Jimmy Keinhorst, Ryan Shaw, Danny McGuire, Robbie Mulhern, Mose Masoe, Joel Tomkins, Weller Hauraki, Chris Atkin, Danny Addy, George Lawler, Josh Drinkwater, Will Dagger, Mikey Lewis, Daniel Murray, Dean Hadley, Jez Litten, Kyle Trout
HEAD TO HEAD
Wigan have won both encounters over Hull KR this year and they have both come from home and away. It was at the DW Stadium where Wigan recorded their biggest win of the season as they dominated a Rovers side that couldn’t break them down.
It has been a long time since the Red Robins have beaten Wigan at the DW, but that was according to Super League records, their last win was actually in 2015 where Hull KR won by 16 points to 12 in the sixth round of the Challenge Cup.
The East Hull side then went onto become Challenge Cup finalists. Hull KR did beat Wigan again at Craven Park last year, however the rest of the head-to-head stats are dominated by Wigan.
KEY BATTLE
George Williams (Wigan) v Josh Drinkwater (Hull KR)
Without a doubt the Wigan stand-off has been one of the stars of the season which has earned him a chance to compete in the NRL under Canberra Raiders next season.
Williams has recorded 11 tries and 17 assists so far, but he will go up against a Hull KR half-back that has returned to fine form under Tony Smith.
Drinkwater has made 125 attacking kicks this season, only Jordan Abdull and Jake Trueman have made more. Josh had also added to his assists tally using his smart grubber kicks to put his teammates Craig Hall and Adam Quinlan over the try-line.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: Friday 9th August 2019
Venue: DW Stadium
Kick-off: 7:45pm BST
Referee: Chris Kendall
WHO WILL WIN?
We won’t know which Hull KR side will turn up to the DW due to their inconsistent form. I think Wigan will conclude this third and final encounter in 2019 with another comfortable win.
