Match preview: Huddersfield

[Warriors News]

Everything you need to know ahead of Wigan’s final Betfred Super League regular round fixture against Huddersfield Giants.

Wigan Warriors face Huddersfield Giants on Friday night in the final game of the regular round Betfred Super League season (7:45pm).

The Cherry and Whites head to Leeds’ Emerald Headingley Stadium to take on seventh placed Huddersfield, in their second meeting of the 2020 season.

Following the Betfred Super League restructure announced on Tuesday (learn more here), Adrian Lam’s side know that a win over the Giants will secure the first League Leaders’ Shield since 2012. A loss would gift the shield to St Helens.

Emerald Headingley Stadium, Leeds.

Team News

The Head Coach has made one change to the side that faced St Helens with Joe Greenwood being replaced by winger Dom Manfredi, who returns after missing out last week with a knee injury. 

Second-rower Greenwood is unavailable after being handed a two-match penalty notice for a Grade C High Tackle, committed in the win over Saints last week.

Injury News

Club Captain Sean O’Loughlin misses out again with a hamstring strain.

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.

Take a look at the 21-man squad below:

The Opposition

For the Giants, Lee Gaskell misses out, while Ronan Michael and Reiss Butterworth return to the squad. 

Click below to see Huddersfield’s 17-man squad:

Squad news

Who's in and who's out ahead of our final regular season game of 2020 https://t.co/bKjf9QMERb

— Huddersfield Giants (@Giantsrl) November 4, 2020

Previous Meetings

The Warriors have won six of the last ten meetings with the Giants.

Last ten meetings:

• Huddersfield 10, Wigan 42 (SLR5, 1/3/20)
• Huddersfield 22, Wigan 38 (SLR19, 21/6/19)
• Wigan 6, Huddersfield 14 (SLR5, 8/3/19)
• Huddersfield 6, Wigan 13 (SLS8-R6, 20/9/18)
• Huddersfield 20, Wigan 12 (SLR21, 12/7/18)
• Wigan 48, Huddersfield 10 (SLR7, 23/3/18)
• Wigan 18, Huddersfield 4 (SLS8-R2, 11/8/17)
• Huddersfield 19, Wigan 19 (SLR19, 23/6/17)
• Wigan 16, Huddersfield 16 (SLR5, 19/3/17)
• Wigan 26, Huddersfield 19 (SLR12, 21/4/16)

Super League summary

• Wigan won 34 (includes wins in 2013, 2014 and 2015 play-offs)
• Huddersfield won 16
• 2 draws

The Stats

Tommy Leuluai needs one appearance to reach 300 for Wigan.

In his first spell for the Club (2007-2012), the Kiwi played 189 games, with his debut coming against Warrington Wolves on 9th February 2007.

Leuluai re-joined the Warriors in 2017 and has made 110 appearances since his second debut against Salford Red Devils on 11th February.

Head to Head

Here’s how the two clubs match up statistically in 2020 so far.

Coach Quotes

Speaking to the media during his weekly press conference, Lam provided his thoughts on this week’s Betfred Super League fixture restructure. 

Lam speaking to the media via Zoom.

“I think overall we are very happy with the decision, we have to support what benefits the game. 

“As a Club we haven’t achieved that since 2012 so it would be a massive achievement for us a Club, myself personally and the players too, many young enough not to have had it previously. 

“It’s been a really difficult season and to be in a position where we can win that trophy, it would be something special.

Match Officials

The man in the middle on Friday night will be Chris Kendall. James Child will also officiate as the video referee. 

Chris Kendall.

How to Follow

Our free audio service Listen Live will be available from the home page at www.wiganwarriors.comfrom 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).

Warriors season ticket holders can watch the game live via the RFL’s OurLeague streaming service. 

Season ticket holders should all have received their unique login codes to access the OurLeague streaming service for Wigan Warriors games. If you haven’t, please contact info@wiganwarriors.com and we will be able to help.

In addition, the game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. This fixture will be televised on Sky Sports Mix, which is available free-to-air without a Sky Sports subscription on selected Sky and Virgin Media packages. However, BT and Talk Talk subscribers should be aware that this channel isn’t available via either service provider, so season ticket holders who receive their TV package via either of these companies are advised to use the OurLeague streaming service instead.

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.

Other Fixtures

Friday 6th November 

• Wakefield Trinity vs Salford Red Devils (5:30pm)
• Wigan Warriors vs Huddersfield Giants (7:45pm)

Two games live on @SkySportsRL today @WTrinityRL v @SalfordDevils @WiganWarriorsRL v @Giantsrl

The Warriors secure the League Leaders' Shield with a win #SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/pZ7aAFk1fA

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) November 6, 2020

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