Match preview: Wakefield
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Wigan’s Betfred Super League Round 11 fixture against Wakefield Trinity.
Adrian Lam’s side will make the journey to the Mobile Rocket Stadium for the first time in 2021 on Thursday evening (7:45pm K.O.) to take on Trinity.
Campaign so far
Despite suffering back-to-back defeats, Wigan are still tied at second place in the Betfred Super League table with St Helens.
Having played two games more than the Warriors, Trinity have only mustered three victories in their opening 11 fixtures. However, all three have come in their last five games.
Team news
Youngsters Brad O’Neill and James McDonnell have been recalled from their loan spells to be included in the squad this week. Learn more HERE.
Wigan are without three first team players this game week after they were selected to play in England’s warm-up fixture against an All Stars XIII on Friday. Liam Farrell and John Bateman have been given the nod to represent England, while Jackson Hastings will line up for the All Stars.
Morgan Smithies looks set to return after missing last week’s game with an ankle injury.
Brad Singleton, Zak Hardaker and Tony Clubb are all missing through suspension. Learn more HERE.
Injury news
Providing updates on injuries on Monday, Lam began with winger Dom Manfredi, who was a late withdrawal from last week’s squad: “He’s got a lot of fluid on the knee and a loose bone fragment in there. It’s a week-to-week thing and he’ll likely not feature this week.”
On Bevan French, who the club are awaiting specialist guidance on the length of his recovery: “Still nothing yet. It’s frustrating not knowing, but it’s obviously not a one or two week thing.”
Half back Jai Field continues his recovery from a torn hamstring sustained during Wigan’s season opener against Leigh Centurions in March.
Wigan Warriors squad to face Wakefield Trinity
On Tuesday Adrian Lam named to Wigan Warriors squad to face Wakefield Trinity on Thursday
The Opposition
Also on Tuesday lunchtime, Chris Chester named his squad to host the Warriors on Thursday. Trinity will be without Liam Kay and Kelepi Tanginoa, who have been named in Tim Sheen’s All Stars side to face England, while Reece Lyne and Joe Westerman have been included in Shaun Wane’s 19-man squad.
Previous meetings
Last ten meetings:
- Wigan 34, Wakefield 6 (SLR2, 1/4/21), (at Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens)
- Wigan 28, Wakefield 16 (SLR13, 25/9/20), (at Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington)
- 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)
Super League summary
Wakefield wins: 12
Wigan wins: 41
Coach quotes
Speaking to the media in his weekly press conference on Monday afternoon, Lam begun by discussing the task of travelling away to Wakefield.
“It’s a difficult place to go to, we’ve had trouble there in the past. That’s the challenge ahead of us.
“We want to respond quickly to the defeat last week. We are disappointed, so we need to move on quickly and get our heads around the opposition on Thursday.”
Despite having a streched squad for a number of reasons, Lam explained how he still won’t be looking for excuses come game day.
“It’s one of those, with our small squad available, to get back up off the canvas from the last two weeks, go to Wakefield and get the job done.”
Match officials
The man in the middle on Friday evening will be Tom Grant.
How to Follow
OurLeague access
Live coverage will be available to season ticket holders via the RFL’s Our League app and website, with the coverage expected to begin around five minutes before kick-off.
We are pleased to have learned this week that Our League streaming has been further extended through to Round 14 of the Betfred Super League season (Huddersfield Giants at home), so there are at least four more Warriors fixtures being televised via this service.
Our League access codes have been sent via email to the addresses registered against the accounts of all 2021 season ticket holders , so if you’ve signed up for this season, please check your email for a step-by-step guide on how to activate your code and enjoy live streaming of every behind closed doors game we play in Betfred Super League this season.
If for any reason you haven’t received the email/codes you were due for your full group, please email info@wiganwarriors.com with the relevant name(s) and client code(s) so that we can help to forward any details that you’re missing ahead of the game.
Wigan TV
Highlights and match reaction will be available on Wigan TV following the result. Not a subscriber? Find out more HERE.
Listen LIVE
Join commentary team Joe Mills and Bilko (Andrew Rimmer) as they bring you free live commentary of the whole game. Head to the Wigan Warriors home page here from 10 minutes before kick off and click ‘Listen Live’.
Alternatively, head to https://mixlr.com/wigantv to enjoy the commentary and join in the conversation with fellow fans.
Social Media
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) – behind-the-scenes action, both before and after kick-off.
- Facebook (Wigan Warriors) – live matchday information and reaction.
- Website (www.wiganwarriors.com) – post-match reaction including match report, and head coach and players reaction.
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