Hull KR host the Wigan Warriors on Friday night at the KC Lightstream Stadium. Both sides come into this game on the back of good away wins in the league. While both are not having the season they may have wanted, you can betย this will be a tough encounter between two hungry sides.
LAST TIME OUT
Hull KR come into this game on the back of a 10 try victory, away at Wakefield. It was a simply outstandingย performance from the Rovers, one that was described as their best of the season by coach James Webster. KR hit the ground running by scoring 5 tries in the opening half and had a healthy 26-10 lead at halftime through tries from Dixon, Kelly, Greenwood, Lunt and Green in what was a blistering spell for the visitors. The star of the show, was the returning Kieron Dixon who scored 2 more tries after halftime to complete his hat-trick. A player who only made the squad through injuries just before the game. KR where in full control for the entirety of the game and made Wakefield look like the side they where last season. Further tries from Greenwood, Kelly and Blair wrapped up a convincing 54-16 win for KR.
Wigan Warriors come into this gameย on the back of a struggling 23-20 victory away at Salford. In a game that seemed comfortable for the majority, was made out to be a real struggle for the Warriors after they seemingly collapsed late on. Wigan started well, scoring early through the in-form Josh Charnley. However, two quick tries from Salford through Dobson gave Salford a 10-4 lead. Wigan responded well near the end of the half levelling the game through a Sutton try and after someย quick thinking by Matty Smith, Wigan found themselves leading 11-10 at halftime afterย a drop goal. Charnley scored two more tries in the second half to seal his hat-trick and looked to give Wigan a comfortable 23-10 lead with just 8 minutes remaining. However, two late Salford tries gave Shaun Waneย a scare as his Wigan side barely held on for a 23-20 win.
KEY BATTLES
The battle between both sets ofย forwards will be intriguing. In recent weeks, Wigan’s forwards have been brilliant, winning the battle down the middle and making more yards than their opponent, which is the key to the game. For KR, Blair, Greenwood and Lunt had huge games last week and where influential in the result. For Wigan, you look no further than the impact that Crosby and Flower have had on the field. The yards they both continuously make each passing game to push their side up the field and gain the possession, to ultimately give the backs the freedom of the pitch later in sets, is remarkable.
Both halfback pairings arguably had their best games last week. Campese and Kelly, who haven’tย played together much this season, because of injuries. Didn’t appear to be rusty, and seemingly played off each other with ease. The same with Smith and Williams of Wigan. Both have not played much together through Williams’ injury early in the season. However, in recent weeks they have started to show the class and skill they showed last season to drive Wigan to a Grand Final.
The kicking game on Friday night will be key. Campese kicked Wakefield to death last week, putting them under supreme pressure with continuous high balls. Wigan’s kicking game has been okay in recent weeks, definitely improved a lot. That is mainly through the return of Tomkins and Williams to the side, who ease the pressure on Smith by chipping in with creative kicks of their own.
PREDICTION
In what should be a great game of rugby league between two sides who are desperate for a win, for different reasons. I see Wigan taking control early on, and ultimately become too strong for Rovers. Wigan’s backs and forwards in recent weeks have been tremendous, taking the games early on and winning the battle down the middle, which is ultimately the key to most games.
Wigan Warriors by 14.
SQUADS
Hull KR 19-man Squad:ย Mitch Allgood,ย Maurice Blair,ย John Boudebza,ย Terry Campese,ย Chris Clarkson,ย Kieran Dixon,ย James Green,ย James Greenwood,ย Albert Kelly,ย George Lawler,ย Kevin Larroyer, Shaun Lunt,ย Matty Marsh,ย Thomas Minns,ย Robbie Mulhern,ย Ken Sio, Iain Thornley,ย Dane Tilse,ย Adam Walker.
Wigan Warriors 19-man Squad:ย Joe Bretherton, Greg Burke, Josh Charnley, Dom Crosby, Ben Flower, Anthony Gelling, Willie Isa, Dom Manfredi, Lee Mossop, Sam Powell, Dan Sarginson, Matty Smith, Ryan Sutton, Taulima Tautai, Lewis Tierney, Joel Tomkins, Sam Tomkins, Jack Wells and George Williams.
MATCH DETAILS
Referee:ย Ben Thaler
Venue:ย The KC Lightstream Stadium
Date/Time:ย Friday 10th June 2016 – 20:00pm GMT
