SUPER LEAGUE PREVIEW | Huddersfield Giants vs Wigan Warriors
In-form Huddersfield host high-flying Wigan in Super League. Here’s everything you need to know…
TEAM NEWS
Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield coach Simon Woolford welcomes captain Leroy Cudjoe back into the side, after the centre missed out on last week’s 29-18 victory against Hull FC.
Jake Mamo is also returns in a major boost for the Giants, with injury preventing him from appearing since May.
On the flipside, Woolford has had a big hit to his forward pack with Sebastine Ikahififo injured in last Thursday’s game, while Ukuma Ta’ai has picked up a one-match suspension.
Huddersfield 19-man squad: Mamo, McGillvary, Cudjoe, Turner, Murphy, Gaskell, Brough, Lawrence, Hinchcliffe, Ferguson, Rankin, Roberts, Clough, Smith, O’Brien, Mellor, McIntosh, English, Wardle.
Wigan Warriors
Wigan also have their captain available again, after Sean O’Loughlin pulled out ahead of their dramatic 13-12 victory over Warrington Wolves last week.
That means that coach Shaun Wane makes two changes to his 19-man squad, with Liam Farrell ruled out with a shoulder injury and Callum Field taken out.
Romain Navarrete returns to their pack after missing last week’s game through suspension, while Oliver Partington also comes in.
Wigan 19-man squad: Tomkins, Davies, Gildart, Powell, Clubb, Leuluai, Flower, O’Loughlin, Bateman, Tautai, Isa, Escare, Marshall, Navarrete, Hamlin, Woods, Partington, Kibula, Paisley.
HEAD TO HEAD
Wigan ran out comfortable winners when the two sides met earlier in the season, registering a 48-10 victory at the DW Stadium in March.
The Warriors have won eight and drawn one of the last nine meetings, with Huddersfield last beating them in 2014 with a 31-22 victory at the John Smith’s Stadium.
KEY BATTLE – Jordan Turner vs Josh Woods
Jordan Turner has been one of the constants this season in an injury-plagued Giants team, and in the last couple of months he has made the stand-off position his own.
He was fantastic last week against Hull FC, while another 6 had an immense contribution the following day.
Josh Woods won the game against Warrington with a stunning drop goal in the final minute, to cap a great contribution from the youngster standing in for the injured George Williams in recent weeks.
He has shown huge maturity and no lack of quality either, and he could be key to victory again here.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: Thursday 12 July
Venue: John Smith’s Stadium
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Referee: Gareth Hewer
