The title chasing Warrington Wolves head over to Wakefield this afternoon in search of a win that could cement their place inside the top three. However, they’ll have to defeat a Trinity side under the command of a new coach in the shape of caretaker boss Willie Poching.
There may be a new man in charge at Wakefield but they still have problems and are only able to name a 20-man squad for this encounter. That said, there’s still some conundrums for Poching to solve including who will feature at centre in place of the absent Reece Lyne. The natural pick would be Lee Kershaw but it’s possible that Poching could go with an out-there selection to inject new life into the side. I fancy Kyle Wood to start at nine having been named on the bench against his former club Huddersfield last week. Jay Pitts will be a welcome return at second-row.
Warrington also have one or two problems with Steve Price only able to name a 19-man squad for the game. Within the squad are two youngsters yet to make a senior appearance for the Wolves however it’s likely that Morgan Burgess will be given his debut owing to Warrington’s lack of forwards. That same lack of forwards could see Toby King move to the backrow and he could even be joined in the pack by Blake Austin. The Leeds bound stand-off has been poached by the Rhinos owing to his versatility and that could benefit his current employers today if he can fill in at 13 whilst Gareth Widdop returns to the halves. Speaking of returns, Matty Ashton could also make his first appearance since picking up an an injury at the start of the season.
Wakefield
1 Max Jowitt
18 Innes Senior
27 Lee Kershaw
20 Joe Arundel
2 Tom Johnstone
6 Jacob Miller
7 Mason Lino
10 Tinirau Arona
9 Kyle Wood
12 Kelepi Tanginoa
11 Matty Ashurst
14 Jay Pitts
13 Joe Westerman
Substitutes
8 David Fifita
15 Eddie Battye
25 Brad Walker
26 Yusuf Aydin
Warrington
1 Stefan Ratchford
5 Josh Charnley
18 Jake Mamo
27 Connor Wrench
2 Tom Lineham
31 George Williams
7 Gareth Widdop
8 Chris Hill
16 Danny Walker
10 Mike Cooper
11 Ben Currie
4 Toby King
6 Blake Austin
Substitutes
15 Matt Davis
17 Matty Ashton
20 Sitaleki Akauola
30 Morgan Burgess
