After months and months of build-up, the day has finally arrived for Wigan Warriors to take on Warrington Wolves in Las Vegas. The pair have been in Sin City all week, soaking up the atmosphere and mingling with the fans and taking in the sights, sounds and smells of the entertainment capital.
But both sides will now be locked in on what they have to do this evening as they open up a four-game card at the Allegiant Stadium, with two NRL games and a women’s international to follow.
So who will get the nod to run out at the home of Las Vegas Raiders this evening?
Well, for Matt Peet it seems his decision is a pretty straightforward one having seen his Cherry and Whites thump Hull FC last Friday before they boarded the plane to America. He’s expected to name an unchanged 17 at the Allegiant Stadium and that won’t come as a shock given the consistency Peet has shown in selection in recent seasons.
Abbas Miski returned to the action last weekend after missing the opening round through injury and he’ll get the nod alongside Adam Keighran, while Liam Byrne might just start the game again alongside Luke Thompson and hooker Kruise Leeming.
The only slight question is how Peet will want his bench to look with Sam Walters replacing Harvie Hill on the bench last week. Walters fared well through the middle and he looked comfortable in the position despite being a back-rower by trade.
Sam Burgess is expected to follow suit with the head coach confirming to press earlier this week that his 17 would likely be unchanged. That means Oli Leyland looks set to get the nod in the halves over Stef Ratchford, who started the season in the number seven spot at Huddersfield Giants before the change was made last week.
Leyland will play alongside George Williams, while Lachlan Fitzgibbon is fit enough to retain his spot in the back-row. Expect Burgess to go with his biggest bench in order to match up to Wigan’s huge pack.
Predicted Wigan Warriors side: Jai Field; Abbas Miski, Adam Keighran, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall; Harry Smith, Bevan French; Liam Byrne, Kruise Leeming, Luke Thompson; Junior Nsemba, Liam Farrell, Kaide Ellis.
Bench: Patrick Mago, Tyler Dupree, Sam Walters, Tom Forber.
Predicted Warrington Wolves side: Matt Dufty; Josh Thewlis, Toby King, Arron Lindop, Matty Ashton; Oli Leyland, George Williams; Luke Yates, Danny Walker, Paul Vaughan; Dan Russell, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Ben Currie.
Bench: Sam Powell, Joe Philbin, James Harrison, Jordy Crowther.
Brian Carney speaks at the Allegiant Stadium ahead of Wigan Warriors vs Warrington Wolves tomorrow pic.twitter.com/DH3faFKHFe
— Serious About Rugby League (@SeriousAboutRL) February 28, 2025
