Marshall: Fuel to the fire
- Liam Marshall reflected on Wigan’s Challenge Cup exit and looked ahead to Saturday’s Super League matchup against Leigh Leopards.
- Marshall: “Hopefully it can add a bit of fuel to the fire going into the back end of the Super League season.”
- See the full interview on Wigan TV HERE.
Wigan Warriors winger Liam Marshall hopes the Challenge Cup Semi Final loss to Hull KR can add some ‘fuel to the fire’ for the business end of the Betfred Super League season.
The Warriors fell to a devastating golden point defeat after playing with 12-men since the beginning of Sunday’s second half, and will be looking to bounce back against the Leigh Leopards in the Super League this weekend.
Marshall said: “It was a tough couple of days after that very gut wrenching defeat. We obviously wanted to go down to London and defend our trophy, but it wasn’t meant to be. Full credit to Hull KR for getting over the line in the end.
“I was really proud of the boys’ effort. I think even when we went down to 12-men we still had a big chance in the game. Hopefully it can just add a bit to a fuel in the fire going into the back end of the Super League season.”
Leigh will make the short journey to the DW Stadium this Saturday for Wigan’s next fixture, in a crucial game that sees the sides separated by just two points in the table: “They’ve had a great year, we’re not taking them lightly this weekend. We want to put a few things right from our game on Sunday and obviously that starts with Leigh at home”, said Marshall.
“I’ve always thought they had a really good squad on paper, it was just keeping everybody fit and playing some good rugby and I think they’ve done that. It probably has shocked a few people, but they’re playing some great stuff, and when everyone was probably expecting them to be fighting relegation, they’re up there at the top and probably going to be in the playoffs at the back end of the season.”
Wigan will look to benefit from the addition of highly rated prop forward Tyler Dupree, who joined from Salford earlier in the week with immediate effect. Dupree has been included in Matt Peet’s 21-man squad for Saturday’s game, with Brad Singleton heading the other way to the Red Devils.
Marshall said: “It came out of nowhere the Tyler move, but I think it’s a really good one for the club. Obviously it’s sad to see Brad Singleton going in the other direction but hopefully he’ll get the game time he’s looking for over at Salford.
“Bringing Tyler in, he’s obviously a really talented lad and he made his England debut this year, so it’s good to be bringing that calibre of player in. He’s only trained once, but he seems to have fitted in quite well and hopefully he can add a lot to us in this last stint of the season.”
For the second time this season, Wigan and Leigh Young Carers have been invited to watch the two sides face off, as over 800 people associated with the Hindley-based centre will be in attendance for Saturday’s clash at the DW Stadium.
“It’s a great initiative”, said Marshall. “They’re a very special group of young people and for us to just give them a little bit back, give them an experience of what will hopefully be a good game on Saturday is massive. All the best to them, and any support we can give them is great.”
Watch the full match preview from Liam Marshall on Wigan TV HERE. Match tickets for Saturday’s clash remain on sale at the DW Stadium Ticket Office (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) or online HERE. More ticketing information can be found HERE.
By Harvey Orgill.
