Wakefield Trinity vs Wigan Warriors: Team news, match preview and score predictions

Both Wakefield and Wigan will be pleased with their recent form as they head into this Challenge Cup quarter-final clash.

The Warriors have lost just once all season and are a clear front runner for silverware in 2022 but we should not discount Trinity.

Wakefield have won the last four beating Warrington twice and now occupy a place in the top six. They’ll fancy their chances of making it into the final four.

Team News:

Wakefield welcome back Lee Gaskell to the squad but it remains to be seen whether or not he’ll feature with the Wakefield spine in good form. David Fifita is also named in the 21-man squad after not featuring last week. Tom Johnstone has been named in the squad despite an injury scare last week but Lewis Murphy’s inclusion points to there being a doubt here.

Wigan are without Liam Marshall through injury but do have Thomas Leuluai back from his one match suspension. Iain Thornley could return in a competition he has great history in for Wigan scoring in their 2013 cup final win. Bevan French may be in line to start for the first time this season as well.

Match Preview – Key Battles:

Max Jowitt vs Jai Field: Super League’s most underrated fullback takes on perhaps the league’s best player in the battle of the fullbacks at Belle Vue. Trinity will have a job on their hands keeping Field quiet but Jowitt is a dangerous player in his own right and has a real tenacity which could help him contain his opposite number.

Tom Johnstone vs Bevan French: These two could both be set to feature on the wing tomorrow but neither is set in stone. Willie Poching’s decision to name Lewis Murphy in the squad suggests that Tom Johnstone is a doubt whilst the form of Jai Field at fullback and the settled halfback partnership of Thomas Leuluai and Cade Cust should see French figure on the wing or perhaps on the bench. Either way, both are elusive and dangerous runners who can score some amazing tries. Either could win this game themselves.

Jacob Miller vs Cade Cust: Two superb halfbacks capable of organising and creating do battle in a do or die clash. This game could very well be decided by either halfback not necessarily in big moments but potentially in the small moments too as they drive the game in the direction their side needs.

Where the game will be won and lost:

This game will be all about space. The one team in the league you don’t want to give space is Wigan because the player most devasting in open field wears a Cherry and White jersey and is called Jai Field. If Wakefield can nullify the threat Wigan pose they have the tools to hurt the Warriors and book a place in the last four.

Score Prediction: Wakefield Trinity 12-18 Wigan Warriors