Farrell: Ultimate test

• Liam Farrell looks ahead to Friday’s Betfred Super League Grand Final.
• Farrell: “The way we’ve finished the last four or five games has been great and there’s a real confidence in the team.” 
• Wigan Warriors vs St Helens, Friday 27th November, KCOM Stadium, K.O. 8pm.

Second row Liam Farrell believes that St Helens will provide the ‘ultimate test’ this Friday as Wigan aim to become the 2020 Betfred Super League champions.

In a repeat of the 2014, 2010 and 2000 Grand Finals, the two rivals will do battle one last time this season to find out who takes home the coveted Super League trophy.

Speaking ahead of the game, the 2020 Betfred Super League Dream Team member discussed the enormity of the fixture, especially in having St Helens as the opposition.

“Looking at the teams on paper and the recent form of both teams there’s a good chance it could make for the best Grand Final ever, but we’ll see on the day.

“It depends on how both teams turn up, but we’ve got a real hunger in our camp and we know we’ve got reasons for why we want to do it and why we want to win it. It’s a massive game.”

Both sides arrive in the Final in good runs of form. Wigan have won their last five games, while St Helens have won four of their last five.

“The way we’ve finished the last four or five games has been great and there’s a real confidence in the team.

“This is the one for us now – this is the ultimate test – going up against Saints who won it last year.”  

Farrell highlighted how both clubs have been so defensively strong in recent weeks also.

“Both teams didn’t get any tries scored against them in the Semi Finals and we know both teams can attack really well, so it makes for an interesting game.

“It’s probably one of the best matched Grand Finals for a few years.” 

Having clashed at the end of October, Wigan’s win at the Totally Wicked Stadium will likely still be fresh in the minds of both sets of players.

“We’re expecting a reaction from Saints after our last meeting a few weeks ago. We did a job on them at their place, but both teams will be fired up on Friday and it could make for a really good game.” 

One last twist in the 2020 tale was the news that the Grand Final would not take place at it’s usual home of Old Trafford. Instead, Hull FC’s KCOM Stadium will do the honours.

On playing it behind closed doors, Farrell said: “We have to make our own atmosphere with there being no fans there to watch.

“There’s a lot of lads who will play in their first Grand Final, so just to be in one itself will give them that buzz and the energy they want to make sure they play well. 

“If we start well in the game and get our own atmosphere going it could be a really good night.” 

Farrell, who will bring his testimonial season to a close on Friday night, also discussed captain Sean O’Loughlin, who is set to hang up his boots after the final whistle.

“If you asked anyone individually what it would mean to them personally to send him out the way he should be, they would tell you a lot of special things about why they want to do it.  

“He’s a great player and great players need sending out in the right way and the right way is to win a Grand Final. We’ll try our best to do that.” 

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