THE QUALIFIERS MATCH PREVIEW | Salford Red Devils vs Widnes Vikings

August 17, 2018

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After beating Hull Kingston Rovers at their own ground Salford return to Lancashire to host Widnes Vikings, who had lost to London Broncos by a narrow margin last week. Here’s everything you need to know…

SQUAD NEWS

Salford Red Devils

Head coach Ian Watson has included Greg Burke to the 19-man squad after a short spell on the sidelines, while Joey Lussick retains his place after an impressive debut last week in the 28-10 victory over Hull Kingston Rovers.

Unfortunately, Watson has had to drop Tyrone McCarthy from the squad after a picking up a small knock last Friday at KCOM Craven Park.

Salford 19-man squad: Welham, Sa’u, Evalds, Lui, Kopczak, Jones, Flanagan, Tasi, Lannon, Nakubuwai, Wood, Olpherts, Mossop, Bibby, Murray, Chamberlain, Burke, Hastings, Lussick.

Widnes Vikings

Head coach Francis Cummins has made two changes to the 19-man squad after their 20-21 defeat to London Broncos.

Charlie Gubb misses out this week after sustaining a knee injury on debut, and Danny Walker also drops out with Lloyd White and Alex Gerrard replacing them.

Widnes 19-man squad: Ah Van, Ashall-Bott, Chapelhow, Craven, Dean, Dudson, Finn, Gerrard, Hansen, Hauraki, Heremaia, Houston, Inu, Leuluai, Mellor, Olbison, Runciman, White, Whitley.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

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The last time the two sides met it was Greg Burke that scored the decisive try on his debut to sink Widnes, the club he had just left to join Salford on loan.

The former Wigan prop arrived at Salford along with Ed Chamberlain in a swap deal for Weller Hauraki who joined the Vikings, and all three were in action at the AJ Bell Stadium.

Widnes came out on top in the first clash back in March, but have lost the 17 Super League matches since.

KEY BATTLE – Mark Flanagan vs Weller Hauraki

With this fixture being a game that both sides need to win, it’s going to take strong leadership for either side to come out as the victors.

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Salford’s Mark Flanagan is the captain and his leadership qualities will be put to the test, while one of the strongest forward threats for Widnes will come from his former team-mate Weller Hauraki.