Wigan and Leeds will see out the opening day on the 10th anniversary of the Magic Weekend, on Saturday night in Newcastle. Leeds come into this game with just 1 win in their last 9, in all competitions. While Wigan come into this game looking for their first League win since the end of April.
LAST TIME OUT
Leeds Rhinos come into his game on the back of a humiliating 52-12 defeat to Castleford Tigers. It all began so brightly for Leeds, when prop Mitch Garbutt went over for the first try of the game early on, but that was to be their last for as long time. Castleford began to turn on the style, scoring a mix of well worked tries and just simple, walk through tries against a very poor Leeds defence. A first half hat-trick for the returning Luke Dorn, including tries from Solomona and Monaghan, put the Rhinos 30-6 down at half time. Rhinos looked a beaten team walking off the pitch and you saw no signs of a comeback. Castleford scored two tries in the opening 5 minutes through Solomona and Springer. The latter coming off the back of a Rhinos error from the re-start. Leeds got a consolation try through substitute Josh Walters, however that is all it was, a consolation, as Castleford scored a further two tries through Crooks and Millington to finish off the job and record a 52-12 win over a deflated Rhinos.
Wigan Warriors come into this game on the back of a disappointing 30-16 defeat at home to the hands of Hull FC. On a night that saw the return of Sam Tomkins to the Wigan Warriors, also saw Hull FC send a message to all clubs watching, to now take them seriously. Hull began the game strong, scoring 3 tries in the opening 20 minutes with tries through Sneyd, Michaels and former Wiganer, Scott Taylor. Wigan hit back through young Oliver Gildart, which finished off a poor first half from the Warriors, one that was littered with bad discipline and too many handling errors. Wigan responded well in the second half and looked to be getting back into the game through tries from Batemen and Sam Tomkins. However, Hull found their second wind after a remarkable 70 metre try from Shaul. This try was to be a sucker punch to the Warriors, who never looked like getting back into the game after it. Hull went on to score another try through Talanoa followed by a late penalty, successfully converted by Sneyd, which wrapped up a memorable win for Hull FC, and another disappointing loss for Wigan Warriors.
KEY BATTLES
It’s tough to pick out some key battles in a game that is contested by the two worst attacks in Super League. Amazingly, Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors sit bottom of the points scored table in the League and will be looking to change that come this weekend.
The hardest thing to do in Super League this season is predict the Leeds starting team. With the return of Captain Danny Maguire last week, he will partner young Jordan Lilley in the halves. Both teams have been poor in attack, so this seems the perfect game to change that. Smith and Williams, will be helped out by the return of Sam Tomkins. Whereas, Maguire and Lilley will be the two who’ll be leading the attacks.
Both sides have struggled with poor discipline, injuries and lack of fire power in their forward packs this season. However, with both sides slowly getting their players back into positions, this should only help both out. The loss of Mcilorum has been a huge one for Wigan and that has shown. Rob Burrow is a legend of the game and a very clever player, he will be key for the Rhinos if they was to win on Saturday.
PREDICTION
Wigan have just started to get players back, and have the majority of them playing in their correct positions. Whereas Leeds just seem to be losing more players and yet again playing the shuffling game within their starting lineup.
This could be a nervy contest, with both sides desperately needing the win. After what will be a tight, close first 20 minutes, Wigan will take control of the game and go on to win it.
Wigan Warriors by 14.
SQUADS
Leeds Rhinos 19-man Squad: Zak Hardaker, Callum Watkins, Danny McGuire, Rob Burrow, Keith Galloway, Beau Falloon, Adam Cuthbertson, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Brett Delaney, Brad Singleton, Mitch Garrett, Jimmy Keinzhorst, Mitch Church, Anthony Mullally, Josh Walters, Ash Handley, Ashton Golding, Jordan Lilley, Brett Ferres.
Wigan Warriors 19-man Squad: John Bateman, Greg Burke, Josh Charnley, Dom Crosby, Ben Flower, Oliver Gildart, Willie Isa, Dom Manfredi, Lee Mossop, Sean O’Loughlin, Sam Powell, Dan Sarginson, Matty Smith, Ryan Sutton, Taulima Tautai, Lewis Tierney, Joel Tomkins, Sam Tomkins, George Williams.
MATCH DETAILS
Referee: Robert Hicks
Venue: St James’ Park, Newcastle.
Date/Time: Saturday 21st May – 19:00pm GMT.
