Match Preview: Grand Final

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the 2020 Betfred Super League Grand Final between Wigan Warriors and St Helens.

On the biggest stage, Rugby League’s greatest rivals will once again do battle in the quest to become the 2020 Betfred Super League Champions.

In a Super League first, the Grand Final will take place not at Old Trafford, but instead at Hull’s KCOM Stadium on Friday 27th November, K.O. 8pm.

Saints will look to retain the trophy for the second time in their history, while the Cherry and Whites aim to succeed in a Grand Final for the sixth time.

Friday’s final will take place at Hull’s KCOM Stadium for the first time.

Team News

Warriors head coach Adrain Lam has made two changes, as Sam Powell and Joe Greenwood return to the 21 in the place of Amir Bourouh and the injured Ben Flower (hamstring injury).

Greenwood returns after serving a two-match penalty notice for a Grade C High Tackle, committed in the win over Saints in Round 19.

Injury News

Dom Manfredi misses out as he recovers from a knee injury. The winger last featured for Wigan in early October in the win over Warrington.

Youngster Ethan Havard continues to recover from an ankle injury first sustained against Leeds Rhinos in Wigan’s Coral Challenge Cup Semi Final defeat.

Back-rower Jack Wells remains sidelined following a MCL tear and knee dislocation suffered against St Helens in Round 14.

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

See the full 21-man squad below:

The Opposition

Saints boss Kristian Woolf named an unchanged 21 from the side that claimed victory in the Semi Finals. After concerns over a head knock, forward James Graham was named in the squad. The St Helens veteran is to retire at the end of the season.

See St Helens’ 21-man squad below:

Previous Meetings

Last ten meetings:

  • St Helens 6, Wigan 18 (SLR19, 30/10/20)
  • Wigan 0, St Helens 42 (SLR14, 29/9/20) (at AJ Bell Stadium, Salford)
  • St Helens 40, Wigan 10 (SLQSF, 27/9/19)
  • St Helens 32, Wigan 10 (SLR22, 12/7/19)
  • Wigan 10, St Helens 36 (SLR11, 19/4/19)
  • St Helens 22, Wigan 12 (SLR1, 31/1/19)
  • St Helens 10, Wigan 30 (SLS8-R3, 31/8/18)
  • Wigan 6, St Helens 14 (SLR22, 19/7/18)
  • St Helens 21, Wigan 18 (SLR8, 30/3/18)
  • St Helens 16, Wigan 26 (SLS8-R4, 1/9/17)

Super League Summary:

  • St Helens won 41 (includes wins in 2000 and 2014 Grand Finals & wins in 2000, 2002, 2009, 2011 and 2019 play-offs)
  • Wigan won 38 (includes win in 2010 Grand Final & wins in 2001, 2003 and 2004 play-offs)
  • 4 draws
  • St Helens highest score: 57-16 (MM, 2008) (Widest margin: 42-0, A *, 2020)
  • Wigan highest score: 65-12 (A, 1997) (also widest margin)

at AJ Bell Stadium, Salford

Thomas Leuluai won the Harry Sunderland Trophy in Wigan’s 2010 Grand Final victory.

Previous Finals

Wigan won 10, St Helens won 9

Super League Grand Final History

  • 2014: St Helens 14, Wigan 6 (at Old Trafford, Manchester)
  • 2010: St Helens 10, Wigan 22 (at Old Trafford, Manchester)
  • 2000: St Helens 29, Wigan 16 (at Old Trafford, Manchester)

The Stats

Wigan have won five previous Super League Grand Finals, while St Helens have won six.

Both sides have lost five previous Finals, meaning the side defeated will gain the unwelcome record of most defeats in a Grand Final ever.

With selection on Friday night, Sean O’Loughlin will become the oldest player to feature in a Super League Grand Final – in his last game before hanging up his boots and calling time on his 19-year career.

O’Loughlin will be 38 years and three days old on the day of the game, which would surpass the current record held by Jamie Peacock (37 years and 300 days in Leeds’ 2015 victory against Wigan).

Losoe forward O’Loughlin would be making his 459th appearance for Wigan in his 7th Grand Final, if selected.

Head to Head

Very little separates the two sides this season and in Grand Final history.

Coach Quotes

Speaking to the media earlier this week, Adrian Lam discussed the prestige and pressure of the upcoming Grand Final.

“We’ve been with the group preparing for this moment for the last twelve months. It’s been a long time coming.

“I think it will be as good of a game as we’ve seen all season. We played a few weeks back and I think it was the best game this year, in the NRL or in Super League, and I can’t see this one being any different.”

Match Officials

Chris Kendall will be the man in the middle on Friday evening, supported by Ben Thaler as the video referee.

Referee Chris Kendall.

How to Follow

Our free audio service Listen Live will be available from the home page at www.wiganwarriors.com from 15 minutes before kick off.

Joe Mills and Bilko (Andrew Rimmer) will bring fans live commentary of the full 80 minutes.

Bilko (left), Joe Mills (right).

The Betfred Super League Grand Final 2020 is exclusively live on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Arena and Now TV.

As advertised at the start of the Play-Offs, the free streaming service for season ticket holders via OurLeague has now ended, but you can order a 24 hour Now TV pass for just £9.98 here to enjoy the Grand Final and a whole day of all 11 Sky Sports channels to stream via your TV, computer, tablet or phone.

Other live events you can enjoy within 24 hours either side of the Grand Final include South Africa v England T20 cricket, F1 Bahrain Grand Prix practice or qualifying, Everton v Leeds United and a variety of action from the NFL, EFL, golf, rugby union and much more.

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 accessible – 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 for fans to enjoy.

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.

To experience a full interactive display of exciting content that helps to bring our new badge and its story to life, visit our badge microsite now.

Be among the first fans to get your hands on the new look by checking out our 2021 hummel replica kits, training range and travel wear in our online store.

Thursday 26 November 2020