Sam Tomkins of Wigan Warriors hopeful of smooth route to semi-final in 2011 – Rugby League news
Sam Tomkins is hoping for a easier passage for his club, Wigan Warriors with a victory over St. Helens tomorrow, September 18, in the Super League Qualifying Playoff at the DW Stadium.
Tomkins wants this year Warriors to win against Saints, at this stage because this way his team can enjoy a week off along with the comfort of having semi-final on home soil.
In 2010, the Warriors were beaten by Rhinos Leeds in the inaugural round of Super League Play-offs on home soil, which led them to play an extra game before the semi-final clash. The back-to-back schedule of the defending champions last year was very hectic.
The route was a rocky passage to the semi-final berth, which they do not wish to experience this year.
While recalling last year’s tiring schedule, Tomkins stated, “Last year we lost our first play-off game and had to beat Leeds away to get through. We put a bit of pressure on ourselves and hopefully we will not do that again.”
Tomkins does not wish to go through last year’s agony. He is hoping to shrug off the pressure by winning the home game against Saints this Sunday.
The runners up of Sunday’s clash will still have a reserve game to test their luck on. The extra game will be the knock-out fixtures lined-up in Perpignan and Leeds.
The Super League Elimination Playoff of Leeds against Hull FC tomorrow is very important because if they clinch the win this will be their 11th successive victory. Tonight, Catalan Dragons will battle against the Hull KR.
Dragons are geared up for tonight’s clash against Rovers, because this way they can avenge their recent defeat against the latter, which was a tight win by the Kingston.
Steve Menzies of the Dragons is also expecting another heated clash tonight. While speaking about it, Menzies stated, “I suppose not a lot is going to change. These last two weeks have been pretty much a dress rehearsal for play-off football. We've got to
obviously look at that game and see where we went wrong and try and change some of those areas but it was a close game and I think it's going to be another close one.”
Tags: