Wigan playmaker Matty Smith is looking forward to taking on one of the sport’s form teams when the Warriors host Huddersfield Giants in a Super League qualifying play-off at DW Stadium tomorrow night.
The Warriors haven’t beaten the Giants this season and Smith is confident that this won’t be hanging over their heads as they approach the game.
“We’ve had some intense games over the past few weeks which has really helped us going into this important stage,” said the scrum-half.
“The squad have watched a few Huddersfield games this season so we are well aware what we’ve got coming our way on Thursday. It’s going to be a massive test.
“They’ve slipped under the radar this season, just like we did last year. Fans wrote us off but that just encouraged us even more and we performed when it mattered to pull us through the play-offs.
“Paul Anderson is doing a fantastic job and they’ve got a great squad. A big physical pack along with some very fast outside backs can cause you problems. We know how difficult it’s going to be but we’re ready.”
The Warriors are no strangers to Grand Final success and playing at Old Trafford and Smith believes that having a taste of this makes you want more.
“They say you get a bit greedy after you’ve won one trophy because you want more and that’s definitely the case with us right now,” said Smith.
“Over these past few weeks the desire and hunger is clearly visible within the squad. The feeling you get when the noise of the crowd hits you at Old Trafford is unbelievable. We are fully focused on the play-offs but every single member of this team wants be back there on October 11.
“2014 has been one of the best seasons for a while in terms of how close it has been. We didn’t know if we would finish second, third, fourth or even fifth.
“There are at least five or six teams who could go on and win the Grand Final this year, that’s how competitive it is.”
