Does it get any bigger than this? Two of the league’s most successful clubs do battle in the end of season play-offs as the two teams who turned making unlikely trips to Old Trafford into an artform meet. But only one side can take another step closer to the Grand Final. So who will it be? Wigan or Leeds?
The Warriors, like Leeds in all honesty, have the right kind of headaches this week for the first time in a while. The return of forwards Brad Singleton and Morgan Smithies will provide size down the middle but will also cast difficult questions the way of Adrian Lam. Their return means two of the forwards who starred in the win against Catalans will have to drop out. It could be Tony Clubb unless Lam wants a bit more experience in his 17. Meanwhile one of the two young second-rowers, Kai Pearce-Paul and James McDonnell, will have to drop out. Pearce-Paul has impressed all year but McDonnell shone last week with a brilliant try. Speaking of second-rowers, Willie Isa will remain at centre despite it not being his natural position whilst Jake Bibby will stay on the wing meaning young Sam Halsall is the unlucky man to miss out because of Liam Marshall’s return.
The Rhinos backline has been chopped and changed all year but in recent weeks they’ve come across a consistent formula. Tom Briscoe has impressed at left centre whilst Harry Newman picks himself on the right. Meanwhile, Luke Briscoe and Ash Handley seem to make endless metres and the duo were the top two metre makers for the Rhinos again last week. So why change it? I suppose the powerful Konrad Hurrell could be cause for change but I can see Agar sticking with those who’ve impressed recently. The versatile spine of Jack Broadbent, Richie Myler and Rob Lui will stick together but the pack will change. Alex Mellor could come into the backrow but his return will be determined by his fitness and that of youngster Morgan Gannon. Meanwhile Zane Tetevano and Mikolaj Oledzki will add much needed size to the pack. I can see Oledzki starting on the bench as he makes the return from injury whilst Tetevano comes into the starting 13. Cameron Smith was impressive last week so he deserves another start tonight.
Wigan
3 Zak Hardaker
22 Jake Bibby
11 Willie Isa
4 Oliver Gildart
5 Liam Marshall
20 Harry Smith
31 Jackson Hastings
8 Brad Singleton
9 Sam Powell
14 Oliver Partington
12 Liam Farrell
13 John Bateman
15 Morgan Smithies
Substitutes
19 Liam Byrne
21 Ethan Havard
25 Joe Shorrock
27 Kai Pearce-Paul
Leeds
27 Jack Broadbent
24 Luke Briscoe
3 Harry Newman
2 Tom Briscoe
5 Ash Handley
6 Rob Lui
16 Richie Myler
13 Zane Tetevano
9 Kruise Leeming
10 Matt Prior
11 Alex Mellor
12 Rhyse Martin
17 Cameron Smith
Substitutes
8 Mikolaj Oledzki
14 Brad Dwyer
18 Tom Holroyd
20 Bodene Thompson
