It’s always a big deal when Wigan host Leeds, such is the size of both clubs. So, as the 2022 season gets going, you couldn’t ask for a bigger or better match-up.
Last week the Warriors exorcised the demons of 2021 with a flair filled win over Hull KR. Cade Cust and Jai Field shone as the Warriors proved attacking issues are a thing of the past.
Meanwhile the Rhinos played well but suffered defeat at the hands of Warrington due to a late Connor Wrench try. If not for an early James Bentley red card, it could have been a different story however. But given the chance to get back on the horse against another rival, how will Leeds respond and set up? Equally how will the Warriors line up as they look to maintain their momentum?
Kick-off time and TV channel:
The game will kick off at 8pm.
Coverage is live on Sky Sports Arena from 7:30pm.
Predicted Teams:
Wigan Warriors
The main question for Matt Peet is how he will cover the absence of Iain Thornley. There seems to be a pretty clear solution too with former Rhino and Man of Steel Zak Hardaker starting on the bench last week before coming on as the right winger. Peet could shuffle his backs around but the way Jake Bibby and Liam Marshall devastated Hull KR last week leads me to believe they’ll again combine down the left whilst Kai Pearce-Paul starts at right centre next to Hardaker. On the back of a win, there should be little else in the way of change with one player set to come into the 17 to replace Hardaker on the bench which could be Harry Smith.
23 Jai Field
3 Zak Hardaker
21 Kai Pearce-Paul
2 Jake Bibby
5 Liam Marshall
6 Cade Cust
7 Thomas Leuluai
8 Brad Singleton
9 Sam Powell
15 Kaide Ellis
12 Liam Farrell
13 John Bateman
11 Willie Isa
Substitutes
10 Patrick Mago
14 Morgan Smithies
16 Harry Smith
20 Liam Byrne
Leeds Rhinos
Leeds have lost five of the 17 who played against Warrington with Brad Dwyer and James Bentley suspended whilst Richie Myler and David Fusitu’a drop out through injury. Sadly, Rhyse Martin is down under following the passing of his father. They do have Blake Austin set to debut and he’ll replace Myler in the halves whilst Corey Johnson has been recalled from his loan at Bradford to replace Dwyer as the impact hooker. Alex Mellor will come into the side in the backrow and will be joined by 18-year-old sensation Morgan Gannon who started last week on the bench. His spot amongst the interchanges will either be taken by Bodene Thompson or Jarrod O’Connor who impressed in pre-season. There’s two more conundrums, for Richard Agar to solve. The first is whether Harry Newman will be fit enough to play following a hamstring strain. If he is, he’ll play at centre with Tom Briscoe moving to the wing in Fusitu’a’s absence. If not, it’ll likely be a first appearance of the season for Jack Broadbent on the wing. The other is whether Mikolaj Oledzki will figure. The prop is reportedly touch and go. If deemed not fit enough to play Leeds will have lost a third of the side who began the season.
1 Jack Walker
20 Tom Briscoe
3 Harry Newman
4 Liam Sutcliffe
5 Ash Handley
6 Blake Austin
7 Aidan Sezer
10 Matt Prior
9 Kruise Leeming
13 Zane Tetevano
21 Morgan Gannon
15 Alex Mellor
17 Cameron Smith
Substitutes
8 Mikolaj Oledzki
19 Bodene Thompson
25 James Donaldson
26 Corey Johnson
