Connect with us

Super League

Wigan Warriors vs Leeds Rhinos: Kick-off time, TV channel and predicted line-ups

Two juggernauts of British rugby league collide as they fight to pen the next great chapter in their storied history.

Perhaps no side have the same kind of reputation than these two thus it is a real battle between two hegemonic powers, two epitomes of rugby league in this country, and there is no bigger prize than a trip to the Grand Final. A repeat of the inaugural Grand Final, the two have met with a Grand Final spot up for grabs eight times with four wins each. On seven occasions, the winner of this game has gone on to win the Grand Final itself thus the victor here will take one more step towards rugby league immortality.

For Wigan this has looked likely all year, but for Leeds relegation was far more likely for the first half of the season, yet they can now dream of Old Trafford.

Kick-off time and TV channel

The game kicks off at 20:00.

TV coverage starts at 19:30 on Sky Sports Arena.

Predicted Line-ups

Wigan Warriors
The big question is of course who will replace Cade Cust in the halves. Thomas Leuluai returned against Catalans and his experience would key in this game. Sam Powell is another option but he’s more likely to make his 250th appearance for the club off the bench with Brad O’Neill undroppable at nine. Liam Byrne is also likely to return to the side after a top season.

23 Jai Field
1 Bevan French
2 Jake Bibby
21 Kai Pearce-Paul
5 Liam Marshall
16 Harry Smith
7 Thomas Leuluai
8 Brad Singleton
28 Brad O’Neill
20 Liam Byrne
11 Willie Isa
13 John Bateman
14 Morgan Smithies
Substitutes
9 Sam Powell
10 Patrick Mago
15 Kaide Ellis
36 Mike Cooper

Leeds Rhinos
Leeds will be without David Fusitu’a, Harry Newman, Ash Handley and Morgan Gannon for sure whilst Mikolaj Oledzki and Aidan Sezer are both doubts for the game but have been included in the squad. If fit, we could see Rohan Smith make just one change to the team that beat Catalans with the returning Bodene Thompson replacing Morgan Gannon in the backrow. This would see Jarrod O’Connor remain at nine due to the defence he offers in the role and would leave no place for Brad Dwyer in the 17 against his home town team. If Sezer wasn’t to be available, I’m sure Dwyer would be the one to come into the side in a shake up that could see Zak Hardaker at fullback, Richie Myler at stand-off, Leeming at nine, O’Connor in the pack and Dwyer on the bench. Though this way would leave a dilemma at centre. In this case, could we see Leeming start in the halves with Dwyer on the bench?

16 Richie Myler
20 Tom Briscoe
33 Zak Hardaker
4 Liam Sutcliffe
29 Liam Tindall
6 Blake Austin
7 Aidan Sezer
8 Mikolaj Oledzki
24 Jarrod O’Connor
10 Matt Prior
11 James Bentley
19 Bodene Thompson
17 Cameron Smith
Substitutes
9 Kruise Leeming
13 Zane Tetevano
22 Sam Walters
25 James Donaldson

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Must See

More in Super League