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Warrington Wolves Preview

Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2020 6:44 pm
by josie andrews
Everything you need to know for Thursday’s Betfred Super League opener at the DW Stadium between Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves.

The Brief

The Betfred Super League is finally back! Wigan Warriors welcome fierce rivals Warrington Wolves to the DW Stadium for the opening game of the new season on Thursday night (7:45pm).

Rugby league returns for 2020 and there’s no love lost between these two giants of the game.


Both Wigan and Warrington will be itching to go a step further this season than last, after falling at the Semi-Final and Play-Off Eliminator stages, respectively, in 2019.

It’s the Warriors vs the Wolves. It’s Adrian Lam vs Steve Price. It’s Jackson Hastings vs Blake Austin, Anthony Gelling vs Zak Hardaker, George Burgess vs Chris Hill, Liam Farrell vs Jack Hughes, Bevan French vs Stefan Ratchford and Joe Burgess vs Josh Charnley.

It promises to be another blockbuster encounter between two of Super League’s title chasers!

Team News

2019 Steve Prescott Man of Steel Jackson Hastings, George Burgess and Jake Bibby are all included in the squad and could make their debuts in front of a home crowd on Thursday night.

Despite making his return to action in the final pre-season friendly vs Leigh Centurions last week, winger Dom Manfredi is deemed not quite ready for a return to Betfred Super League action.

Speaking on Monday, Adrian Lam said: “It is a bit too soon for now, we will probably give him another two weeks then he will be available for the Toronto game.”

The Head Coach also ruled out Oliver Gildart (dislocated shoulder) and Ben Flower, who is returning to match fitness, for selection this week.

The Opposition

Head coach Steve Price has named his 21-man squad, which includes new signing Matty Ashton and former Warrior Anthony Gelling.

Ex-Wigan winger Josh Charnley is also named in the squad.

Did You Know?

Wigan and Warrington have played each other on the opening league day nine times (seven pre-Super League and two in Super League).

The Warriors have won six times, but the most recent opening day meeting ended in a 10-16 Warrington win at the DW Stadium in 2007.

Previous Meetings

Wigan have won their last three home meetings with Warrington.

Overall in Super League, the Warriors have won 38 games (including wins in 2013, 2016 and 2018 Grand Finals), while the Wolves have won 23 meetings. There have also been three draws between the two sides.

Last ten meetings

Wigan 20, Warrington 6 (SLR26, 16/8/19)
Warrington 26, Wigan 14 (SLR16, 25/5/19 at Anfield, Liverpool)
Warrington 26, Wigan 24 (CCR6, 12/5/19)
Warrington 25, Wigan 12 (SLR6, 15/3/19)
Warrington 4, Wigan 12 (SLGF, 13/10/18 at Old Trafford, Manchester)
Wigan 26, Warrington 6 (SLS8-R5, 14/9/18)
Wigan 13, Warrington 12 (SLR20, 6/7/18)
Warrington 23, Wigan 0 (CCQF, 2/6/18)
Warrington 10, Wigan 38 (SLR15, 19/5/18 at St James’ Park, Newcastle)
Warrington 16, Wigan 10 (SLR3, 23/2/18)

The Stats

Joe Greenwood needs one appearance to reach 100 in Super League. The second row has played 31 times for Wigan (2018-2019) and 68 for St Helens (2012-2017).

Coach Quotes

Ahead of the game, boss Lam said: “We played St Helens in Round 1 last year on a cold snowy night, and we were away from home against Warrington three times, so we have the opportunity here at home to set the scene to get the season going.

“I hope all the Wigan fans get out in big numbers to support us. We feel that we will play some real good open rugby when the weather dries up and we will be playing a good brand, so hopefully people will come out in their colours and get right behind us.

“It has been a long pre-season but now we are at the point of the year where everyone is excited. Everyone has had a break and have recruited some fresh players to strengthen up. You won’t see our best rugby but as the weeks go on, we will improve and get better and better.

The team is 12 months down the track since I took over so we should be in a better place for the philosophy we want play, so we have to make sure the performances come out.”

Match Officials

Chris Kendall has been appointed as referee for Thursday’s game. Kendall, who took charge of his first Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford last October, will be assisted by Ben Thaler as video referee. The touch judges are Scott Mikalauskas and Marcus Griffiths.

Tickets

Tickets are still on sale for Thursday’s game at the DW Stadium!

Prices for this and every 2020 home fixture start from:

£23 for Adults
£17 Over 60s
£16 16-21
£10 Juniors
Free U8s
Full list of prices HERE

How to buy

Buy online by clicking HERE.
Call the DW Stadium Ticket Office on 01942 311111
Visit the DW Stadium Ticket Office.

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

Listen Live (www.wiganwarriors.com) - stream live commentary of every game from Joe Mills and Andrew Rimmer.
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) - post-match reaction including match report, and Head Coach and players reaction.
Wigan TV
If you’re not already a subscriber to Wigan TV, click HERE today to join. Choose a monthly (£5.99), quarterly (£11.99) or annual (£38.99) subscription with no contract. Pay with PayPal or credit/debit card.

Wigan TV is the ONLY place where you can see full match replays of every first team game in 2020, with a host of Scholars, Academy, Reserves and Women’s matches also available live and replayed. Plus there’s plenty of pre and post-match interviews and behind the scenes content. ALL FOR LESS THAN £40 A YEAR.

Sign up to today by clicking HERE. All subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled.

Other Fixtures

Friday 31st January

Hull KR vs Wakefield Trinity (7:45pm)
St Helens vs Salford Red Devils (7:45pm)
Saturday 1st February

Catalans Dragons vs Huddersfield Giants (5pm)
Sunday 2nd February

Toronto Wolfpack vs Castleford Tigers (2:30pm)
Leeds Rhinos vs Hull FC (4:45pm)

https://www.wiganwarriors.com/news/2020 ... es-preview