Wakefield Trinity Preview

[josie andrews]

The Brief

Wigan Warriors head to the Mobile Rocket Stadium on Sunday afternoon to face Wakefield Trinity in Round 27 of the Betfred Super League.

This will be the third meeting between the sides this season, with a win in each of the previous encounters.

Chris Chester’s side came out on top when Adrian Lam’s side visited the Mobile Rocket Stadium back in April, winning 30-20, whilst Wigan took the two points in their last meeting at the DW Stadium in July, winning 46-16.

Wigan enter Sunday’s game in excellent form, winning nine of their last ten games.

The excellent run has seen the Warriors rise to third in Betfred Super League table, only behind second placed Warrington Wolves on points difference.

Adrian Lam will hope his side can continue the current run and finish the regular season as strong as possible, starting with a win against Trinity.

Team News

After failing a late fitness test ahead of the Warrington game two weeks ago, winger Joe Burgess returns to the 19-man squad. Earlier this week Adrian Lam spoke confidently on his fitness.

“Joe Burgess will come back into the 17, so there’s decisions to be made.”

Captain Sean O’Loughlin and prop-forward Ben Flower remain sidelined but are expected to be in contention for the visit of Castelford Tigers on Friday 13th September at the DW Stadium.

Forward Joe Bullock also misses out as he recovers from a knee injury sustained vs St Helens in July.

Dom Manfredi (knee) and Tom Davies (ankle) remain the only long-term injuries for the Warriors.

The Opposition

Wakefield currently sit in ninth place in the Betfred Super League table, winning ten of their 26 games this season.

In recent months victories have been hard to come by, with only two wins in their last league 12 games.

Despite that poor run of form, Chris Chester’s side enter Sunday’s game on the back of a 38-10 victory over fellow strugglers Hull KR last time out.

That win pulled Trinity two points ahead of the bottom three, as they look to stay clear of a relegation fight.

Did You Know?

The last time the two teams met at the Mobile Rocket Stadium, Warriors’ winger Joe Burgess reached an impressive milestone as he scored his 100th career try

Previous Meetings

Overall in Super League, the history books lie with the Warriors…

image: https://www.wiganwarriors.com/admin/res ... -w1600.jpg


The Warriors have won six of their last ten meetings against Trinity, but have struggled at the Mobile Rocket Stadium in recent times, suffering three straight defeats since their last victory there.

Despite that Adrian Lam’s will take confidence from his side’s 46-16 victory over Wakefield back in July at the DW Stadium.

Last ten meetings:

-Wigan 46, Wakefield 16 (SLR23, 18/7/19)

-Wakefield 30, Wigan 20 (SLR10, 12/4/19)

-Wigan 25, Wakefield 10 (SLS8-R4, 6/9/18)

-Wakefield 32, Wigan 16 (SLR17, 7/6/18)

-Wigan 30, Wakefield 18 (SLR5, 11/3/18)

-Wakefield 32, Wigan 0 (SLS8-R7, 23/9/17)

-Wigan 30, Wakefield 42 (SLR16, 29/5/17)

-Wakefield 10, Wigan 16 (SLR10, 17/4/17)

-Wigan 60, Wakefield 12 (SLS8-R1, 5/8/16)

-Wigan 22, Wakefield 18 (SLR21, 8/7/16)

Form Guide

Wakefield’s last five games (Super League):

-Wakefield 16-36 Castleford, SLR22, Mobile Rocket Stadium, 12th July 2019

-Wigan 46-16 Wakefield, SLR23, DW Stadium, 18th July 2019

-St Helens 26-6 Wakefield, SLR24, Totally Wicked Stadium, 2nd August 2019

-Wakefield 16-26 Hull FC, SLR25, Mobile Rocket Stadium, 11th August 2019

-Hull KR 10-38 Wakefield, SLR26, KCOM Craven Park, 18th August 2019

Wigan’s last five games (Super League):

-St Helens 32-10 Wigan, SLR22, Totally Wicked Stadium, 12th July 2019

-Wigan 46-16 Wakefield, SLR23, DW Stadium, 18th July 2019

-Hull FC 14-15 Wigan, SLR24, KCOM Stadium, 1st August 2019

-Wigan 36-18 Hull KR, SLR25, DW Stadium, 9th August 2019

-Wigan 20-6 Warrington, SLR26, DW Stadium, 16th August 2019

The Stats

Sunday’s game will mark Zak Hardaker’s 250th career appearance if he plays.

The full back has played for the Warriors 26 times so far this season. Further appearances have for Castleford Tigers, Penrith Panthers, Leeds Rhinos, Featherstone Rovers, England and England Knights.

Coach Quotes

Wigan have already travelled to the Mobile Rocket Stadium once this season, losing 30-20 back in April, however, Adrian Lam explained earlier this week that his side have made plenty of improvements since that defeat.

“We got off to a pretty good start the last time we played them, but just blew it five minutes to go before half time.

“We need a more complete performance and that’s what we’ve challenged the players for, to perform for the full 80 minutes. I think we are in a different place as a team to what we were then, although I’m sure it’ll be another tough game.”

Match Officials

The man in the middle on Sunday afternoon is Scott Mikalauskas. His Touch Judges are Jonathan Roberts and Richard Thompson.

Tickets
Ticket Prices:

Tickets are available from the below prices:**

-Adults - £22.00

-Over-65s - £16.00

-Under-17s - £10.00

-Under-6s go free

Tickets bought on the day of the game will cost £3 more.

Junior Season Ticket holders can claim a free ticket in advance of the game by either visiting the Ticket Office or calling on 01942 311111. Free Junior STH tickets cannot be purchased online.

All tickets will come off sale at 3pm on Friday 30th August.

Travel
Seats on the Wigan Warriors supporter coaches are available by calling the DW Stadium Ticket Office on 01942 311111 or by using our ticketing page HERE

How to Follow
You can follow every piece of the action on our social media channels and website.

Twitter (@WiganWarriorsRL) - live game updates and reaction at the final hooter.

Instagram (@wiganwarriorsrl) - live behind-the-scenes action, both before and after kick-off.

Facebook (Wigan Warriors) - live matchday information.

Website (www.wiganwarriors.com) - matchday live, match report, and Head Coach and players reaction.
Wigan TV

Highlights will be on Wigan TV within two hours after the game and extended highlights 24 hours later.

There will also be post-match interviews available, giving Warriors fans comprehensive coverage that you’ll not find anywhere else.

Sign up to today by clicking HERE. https://tv.wiganwarriors.com/register


https://www.wiganwarriors.com/news/2019 ... OH67HVM.99