Match Preview – Warriors v Warrington Wolves

[josie andrews]

Wigan Warriors welcome Warrington Wolves to the DW tonight for the second time in just three weeks and the stakes could not be higher with a place in the First Utility Super League Grand Final up for grabs.

The Warriors produced an amazing fight back on the 11th of September coming from 18-4 down at half time to record a 24-20 win thanks to tries from Josh Charnley (2), Joe Burgess and Blake Green. The Warriors have won the last three meetings between the sides including the 2013 Super League XVIII Grand Final last year.

The pair have played out numerous classic matches over the years with Wigan having the edge in the Super League era winning 27 compared to Warrington's 16. Two games have ended in a draw, that result not possible tonight with the game set to go to golden point extra time if level after 80 minutes.

Team news

Head Coach Shaun Wane makes just one change to his nineteen man squad from the 57-4 victory over Huddersfield Giants last time out, with Scott Taylor replacing Gil Dudson.
Meanwhile Tony Smith has included full-back Matty Russell in his squad, despite suffering a facial injury against Widnes a fortnight ago. Smith will make a late decision about whether he will play on Friday night.

Wigan Warriors 19-Man Squad

John Bateman, Matt Bowen, Joe Burgess, Josh Charnley, Tony Clubb, Dom Crosby, Liam Farrell, Ben Flower, Anthony Gelling, Blake Green, Jack Hughes, Michael McIlorum, Sean O'Loughlin, Eddy Pettybourne, Sam Powell, Dan Sarginson, Matty Smith, Scott Taylor, Joel Tomkins

Warrington Wolves 19-Man Squad

Roy Asotasi, Ryan Atkins, Chris Bridge, Ben Currie, Anthony England, Ben Evans, Rhys Evans, Ben Harrison, Micky Higham, Chris Hill, James Laithwaite, Joel Monaghan, Michael Monaghan, Richie Myler, Gareth O'Brien, Stefan Ratchford, Matty Russell, Trent Waterhouse, Paul Wood

Last five meetings

11/09/2014 Wigan Warriors 24-20 Warrington Wolves, DW Stadium, 15,656
20/03/2014 Warrington Wolves 4-12 Wigan Warriors, Halliwell Jones Stadium, 11,550
05/10/2013 Wigan Warriors 30-16 Warrington Wolves Old Trafford, 66,281
24/06/2013 Warrington Wolves 22-12 Wigan Warriors, Halliwell Jones Stadium, 14,028
08/02/2013 Wigan Warriors 17-17 Warrington Wolves, DW Stadium, 20,050

Last five games - Wigan (DLWWW)

Thu 18th Sep - Huddersfield Giants (h), won 57-4
Thu 11th Sep - Warrington Wolves (h), won 24-20
Fri 5th Sep - Leeds Rhinos (h), won 21-6
Fri 29th Aug - Widnes Vikings (a), lost 24-10
Thu 14th Aug - Hull Kingston Rovers (a), drew 14-14

Last five games - Warrington Wolves (DWLWW)

Thu 25th Sep - Castleford Tigers (a), won 30-14
Sat 20th Sep - Widnes Vikings (h), won 22-19
Thu 11th Sep - Wigan Warriors (a), lost 24-20
Thu 4th Sep - St Helens (a), won 39-12
Thu 28st Aug - Huddersfield Giants (a), drew 24-24

Random stats

- Wigan have won the last three games between the two teams, Blake Green scoring a try in all three.
- Warrior's winger Joe Burgess has made 27 clean breaks this season, more than any other player in Super League. Rhys Evans has made 20 for Warrington.
- Wigan scored nine more tries than the wolves throughout the regular Super League season.
- Joel Monaghan is the top try scorer with 28 in Super League and 33 overall. Josh Charnley has scored 21 (19 in SL) and is fourth overall.
- Monaghan has scored in each of the last four Warrington games, Joe Burgess has scored in the last three Wigan games.
- Both teams have identical records in the last five games, winning three, drawing one and losing the other. Warrington's defeat coming at the hands of the Warriors.

Try scorers this season (Super League only)

Wigan Warrington Wolves

Josh Charnley 19 Joel Monaghan 28
Joe Burgess 17 Rhys Evans 16
Liam Farrell 12 Ryan Atkins 14

Goals (Super League only)

Matty Smith (Wigan) 96
Chris Bridge (Warrington Wolves) 67

Tickets

Tickets for the game are available online at Warriors E-Tickets, from the DW Stadium Ticket Office and Ticket Hotline on 0871 66 33 552.


http://www.wiganwarriors.com/WContent.a ... 3e4utGA.99

[Wigan_forever1985]

If russell plays the tactic has to be to pepper him all night long with bombs and put pressure on him

[the winky one]

Feeling nervous now which is par for the course. Watching Saints last night we have nothing to fear since they got every decision going. I can't wait. COME ON WIGAN!!
Rip and tear..
:eusa10: :eusa3: Gulp!

[medlocke]

I sense there will be a loss tonight

[bertina]

I sense there will be a loss tonight

Since when have you had any sense Meds.

[juanpablo]

Matty Russell will start on the bench with Ratchford starting at fullback

[cpwigan]

It will tougher than the GF IMO