Latest News General Match preview: Wakefield Trinity

Match preview: Wakefield Trinity

Everything you need to know for Friday night’s Betfred Super League clash with Wakefield Trinity.

The Brief

Wigan Warriors ‘host’ Wakefield Trinity at Warrington’s Halliwell Jones Stadium on Friday night in Round 13 of the Betfred Super League (K.O. 8:15pm).

Adrian Lam’s side return to league action after last week’s Coral Challenge Cup Quarter Final win over Hull FC.

Meanwhile, Wakefield go into the fixture off the back of a league defeat to Huddersfield Giants last Thursday and no wins in their six games in all competitions since the restart.

Trinity currently sit 11th in the table, while the Cherry and Whites sit 3rd, joined on win percentage with 1st and 2nd placed St Helens and Warrington Wolves.

Team News

Head Coach Lam has made three changes to his last 21-man squad, with Ben Flower, Liam Byrne and Chris Hankinson coming in for Mitch Clark, Dom Manfredi and Harry Rushton.

Young second-row Morgan Smithies serves the fourth of a six-match ban received for two separate incidents during Wigan’s win over Castleford in Round 10. Learn more HERE.

Injury news

Winger Dom Manfredi misses out due to a head knock sustained in last weekend’s victory over Hull FC, but is expected to return for next weekend’s Coral Challenge Cup Semi Final with Leeds Rhinos.

Prop-forward Joe Bullock misses out with a hand injury sustained versus Catalans in Round 12.

Experienced forward George Burgess also misses out as he continues to fully overcome a hip problem.

Winger Liam Marshall continues his long-term recovery from an Anterior Cruciate Ligament knee injury sustained during the Round 10 tie with Castleford.

Prop Tony Clubb remains sidelined with a long-term neck injury.

Half-back Jake Shorrocks continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.

Here is Wigan’s 21-man squad:

The Opposition

Here is Wakefield’s 21-man squad:

👥 SQUAD NEWS

👇 @TomJohnstone01 back from injury, plus several more return to the mix in our 20-man squad..#SLWigWak pic.twitter.com/DKHiHaVjtU
— Wakefield Trinity (@WTrinityRL) September 23, 2020

Did You Know?

Joe Burgess has scored three hat-tricks for Wigan against Wakefield. The winger scored three tries vs Trinity in April 2015, March 2018 and April 2019.

Burgess scoring his hat-trick try against Wakefield in April 2015.

Previous Meetings

Wigan have won the last three meetings with Wakefield and have won six of the last ten.

A Harry Smith drop-goal proved to be the difference when Wigan last met Wakefield last month.

Last ten meetings:

Wakefield 22, Wigan 23 (SLR8, 9/8/20 at Emerald Headingley, Leeds)
Wakefield 16, Wigan 24 (SLR27, 1/9/19)
Wigan 46, Wakefield 16 (SLR23, 18/7/19)
Wakefield 30, Wigan 20 (SLR10, 12/4/19)
Wigan 25, Wakefield 10 (SLS8-R4, 6/9/18)
Wakefield 32, Wigan 16 (SLR17, 7/6/18)
Wigan 30, Wakefield 18 (SLR5, 11/3/18)
Wakefield 32, Wigan 0 (SLS8-R7, 23/9/17)
Wigan 30, Wakefield 42 (SLR16, 29/5/17)
Wakefield 10, Wigan 16 (SLR10, 17/4/17)

Super League summary

Wigan won 39 (includes win in 2004 play-offs)
Wakefield won 12

Head to Head

Here are a few statistics between the two teams from the season so far:

Coach Quotes

Speaking to the media via Zoom link on Tuesday afternoon, boss Lam, said: “We played Hull KR a couple of weeks ago who were bottom of the table and that’s been the only defeat since post-lockdown.

Lam speaking to the media in his weekly press conference via Zoom.

“You have to make sure every week that your preparation is bang on; that you don’t disrespect opposition teams.

“They’ve got some quality individuals in that side and players who I think are some of the best in the league.”

Match Officials

The man in the middle on Friday will be James Child. The video referee is Marcus Griffiths.

How to Follow

The Listen Live feature will be available from the home page on www.wiganwarriors.com.

The live commentary function will give fans free match commentary from Joe Mills of the full 80 minutes.

Warriors season ticket holders can watch the game live via the RFL’s OurLeague streaming service.

Season ticket holders should all have received their unique login codes to access the OurLeague streaming service for Wigan Warriors games. If you haven’t, please contact info@wiganwarriors.comand we will be able to help.

In addition, the game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Arena.

Furthermore, Wigan fans can follow every piece of the action via our social media channels and website.

Twitter (@WiganWarriorsRL) – live game updates and reaction at the final hooter.
Instagram (@wiganwarriorsrl) – live behind-the-scenes action, both before and after kick-off.
Facebook (Wigan Warriors) – live matchday information.
Website (www.wiganwarriors.com) – post-match reaction including match report, and Head Coach and players reaction.

Wigan TV

Matches will continue to be available – as usual – on Wigan TV, with highlights, extended highlights and full match replays available after the relevant holdback times. There will also be post-match interviews available to watch.

If you’re not already a subscriber to Wigan TV, click HERE today to join. Choose a monthly (£5.99), quarterly (£11.99) or annual (£38.99) subscription with no contract. Pay with PayPal or credit/debit card.