Last week’s World Club Series defeat needs avenging
The saying goes that good teams respond to adversity. Last weekend’s defeat to Brisbane was more disappointing than damaging, although injuries to Michael McIlorum and Willie Isa have hardly helped their cause.
A victory over the in-form Red Devils would be a sign of no long-lasting effects, and would certainly give them a lot of confidence moving into the regular slog of Super League.
To prove they can cover Michael McIlorum
Losing such an influential figure for such a long period is bitterly frustrating for the Warriors, especially in a position where they are so light in numbers. However, in Sam Powell they have a player that will be keen to rise to the opportunity, and getting over the line would not only be good for his confidence, but more so the fans who will take comfort in knowing they can deliver without McIlorum.
They need to maintain the fear factor
Daryl Powell has spoken about how there might be a changing of the guard in Super League this year. Interestingly, he mentioned the troubles of Leeds, Huddersfield and St Helens, but didn’t mention the Warriors.
The respect for Wigan is immense, and rightly so, but to maintain that they must simply keep churning out these results to continuously reassert their status as the top dogs in the division. With clubs such as Hull FC, Widnes, Castleford and Salford all vying to overtake the Warriors and co, the cherry and white must keep those hunting them grounded and extinguish their hopes somewhat.
