The Super League Grand Final is finally upon us and we’re all set for what promises to be an absolute cracker of a clash at Old Trafford.
Hull KR are chasing a treble having won the Challenge Cup and the League Leaders’ Shield, while Wigan Warriors have their eyes on a three-peat having won the last two Grand Finals. History will be made either way, and it won’t be long until we find out who will be getting their hands on the Super League trophy on Saturday evening.
Willie Peters’ Robins have been the best and most consistent team in Super League this season and as a result, they pipped Wigan to top spot in the league table.
The Warriors are undoubtedly the form team coming into this weekend’s showpiece event, though. They’ve won their last six games, racking up big scores along the way, and they approach the clash with a swagger.
So, how will both teams line-up at Old Trafford? Here’s our prediction.
Well, it’s fair to say that both head coaches will be keeping changes to a minimum this weekend. Matt Peet has named an unchanged squad while Willie Peters’ only alteration is Noah Booth coming in for Eribe Doro.
In fact, the only change across both sides looks set to be Micky McIlorum’s presence in the Rovers team. He wasn’t quite ready to play last week against St Helens as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury.
However, he has been named in the squad and even if he’s half fit, it seems as though Peters will give him the opportunity to make one last appearance before retiring. As such, he’s likely to start the game at Old Trafford and he’ll probably play the first 15 to 20 minutes before Jez Litten takes over and attempts to inject more pace into the contest.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves gets the nod in the middle after being cleared of the head contact charge he picked up on Monday. Arthur Mourgue is fit after picking up a knock late in the game last week, too.
The back line picks itself at this point with Oliver Gildart doing more than enough to nail down his spot in the side after returning from injury a few weeks back. That means Jack Broadbent could be the unlucky one to drop out of the 17.
Expect Dean Hadley to start the game at back-row before spending time in the middle when Rhyse Martin steps into the fray.
It would be a shock if Peet made any changes to his 17 this week with his starting XIII appearing very settled right now. That means Sam Walters starts in the back-row and he’ll move into the middle when Junior Nsemba comes onto the field.
Liam Byrne might just get the nod to start with Ethan Havard coming off the bench.
Predicted Hull KR v Wigan Warriors line-ups
Hull KR: Arthur Mourgue; Tom Davies, Peta Hiku, Oliver Gildart, Joe Burgess; Mikey Lewis, Tyrone May, Sauaso Sue, Micky McIlorum, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves; Dean Hadley, James Batchelor; Elliot Minchella
Bench: Jez Litten, Sam Luckley, Jai Whitbread, Rhyse Martin
Wigan Warriors: Jai Field; Abbas Miski, Adam Keighran, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall; Bevan French, Harry Smith; Liam Byrne, Brad O’Neill, Luke Thompson; Sam Walters, Liam Farrell, Kaide Ellis
Bench: Junior Nsemba, Patrick Mago, Kruise Leeming, Ethan Havard.
Serious About Rugby League has launched a brand new podcast which can be watched in full on our YouTube channel here.
