Kevin Sinfield: Was the difference between the teams when they met in last year’s semi-final eliminator
Sam Tomkins: Desperate to help Wigan reach the 2013 Grand Final at Old Trafford
Wigan Warriors and Leeds Rhinos go head-to-head at the DW Stadium for a place at Old Trafford once again, after meeting at the same stage last season.
The Rhinos were snubbed by Warrington in ‘Club Call’ meaning the Warriors, who toppled League Leaders’ Shield winners Huddersfield would face their old foes once more.
Against the odds in 2012 it was the Rhinos who prevailed with Kevin Sinfield’s late drop-goal securing an improbable 13-12 success.
Leeds beat Warrington at Old Trafford last season and the Wolves may well be hoping that Shaun Wane’s men can eliminate the Grand Final specialists in the semi-finals this year.
Wigan claimed a 20-16 win over Leeds in May, although the Rhinos exacted a level of revenge by securing a 20-6 triumph at the Warriors earlier this month to end the regular Super League campaign.
The Warriors will be without captain Sean O’Loughlin due to an Achilles injury while Wakefield-bound Chris Tuson is sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Hope
Departing full-back Sam Tomkins hopes Friday night’s clash against the Rhinos will not be his last Wigan game before his move to NRL club New Zealand Warriors.
“It will be an emotional night but hopefully I will have two games left for Wigan,” he told the club’s official website. “Yes my last game will be on Friday at the DW Stadium for a number of years and it will be a special night.
“Leeds are known for peaking this time of the year and have done really well in recent years. We need to deal with their individuals, your Kevin Sinfields, your Danny McGuires and Rob Burrows who are world class players and we will be drawing on past experiences when we have beaten Leeds and will be looking for that again on Friday.”
Rhinos head coach Brian McDermott has named an unchanged 19-man squad for Friday’s trip along the M62.
Both Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Brett Delaney are included after picking up injuries in the 11-10 win over St Helens last Friday, as are Chris Clarkson and Brad Singleton who missed out last week.
McDermott said: “At this stage there is some doubt over Brett and Jamie but our medical staff are working on them constantly and, given the challenges we have overcome already this season, you never want to rule anyone out until the last possible moment, especially players of the calibre of Brett and Jamie.”
Wigan Warriors: Charnley, Crosby, Dudson, Farrell, Flower, Gelling, Goulding, Green, Hansen, Hughes, McIlorum, Mossop, S. Powell, Richards, Smith, Taylor, Thornley, L. Tomkins, S. Tomkins.
Leeds Rhinos: Hardaker, Jones-Bishop, Watkins, Moon, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Ablett, Sinfield, Delaney, Bailey, Kirke, Clarkson, Achurch, Singleton, Sutcliffe.
Article source: http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/arsenal/169260/arsenal-bring-in-ex-ireland-rugby-pro-jerry-flannery-as-new-strength-and-conditioning-coach.html
Super League play-offs preview: Wigan Warriors v Leeds Rhinos
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