Super League play-offs – Wigan Warriors v Leeds Rhinos
Two giants of rugby league will lock horns on Sunday evening as league shield winners Wigan Warriors face current Super League holders Leeds Rhinos at the DW Stadium.
It could be a case of the Rhinos, who have been crowned champions for the past three seasons, handing the baton of rugby league dominance back to the Warriors, who have failed to win a major trophy since 1998. But the Warriors have been by far and away the best team in this year’s competition and go into the match as favourites.
However, underestimating the Rhinos, who finished fourth in the league, could prove to be a huge mistake as previous years suggest that Leeds are the kings of knock-out rugby, especially when you consider that this fixture in last season’s play-offs finished 18-14 in the Rhinos favour.
The Warriors have made only one change to the squad that defeated Bradford Bulls last Friday with Harrison Hansen returning after a shoulder injury. A lot of expectation will rest upon the shoulders of Pat Richards (pictured right) who was named RLWA player of the year last weekend - he will be looking to increase his record points tally of 388 in front of a packed out DW Stadium.
“We've worked hard every day at training and this is great reward for us, but we believe we can give the competition a real shake," Richards told the club’s official website.
"Hopefully we will now kick on. We've got a few players back and hopefully we can build some momentum going into the next four weeks."
Leeds go into the massively anticipated clash with a whole host of injury doubts. The Rhinos are still without Chris Clarkson and Jamie Jones-Buchanan through injury, they join join Luke Burgess and Jamie Peacock on the sidelines. But the visitors, barring their dismal showing in the Challenge Cup final against Warrington, have been in pretty good form recently which has included a wonderful second half performance against Hull last weekend, a game which they won 18-14 after being 14-0 down at half-time.
Rhinos’ experienced coach Brian McClennan has admitted that his side will need to improve despite last week’s impressive second-half comeback to progress against the consistent Warriors.
“They were rightful winners of the League Leaders Shield having been the most consistent team throughout the season,” McClennan told the club’s official website.
“Michael Maguire has done an outstanding job there this season with his coaching staff and they will go into Sunday's game full of confidence. We were pleased to get the victory last week against Hull but we also know that we need to tighten up in a few areas before we face Wigan and make the most of our chances on Sunday night.”
Even though Wigan won the league campaign pretty easily, doubts still remain about their Super League title credentials – a win here should give them the recognition they deserve.
A changing of the Super League guard could well be in the offing.
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Super League play-offs – St Helens v Warrington
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