Game 4 of the Magic Weekend involves 1st place and 2nd place in the Super League table, Leeds Rhinos vs Wigan Warriors.
Wigan Warriors will be looking for revenge after their last defeat by the Leeds Rhinos in Round 11, where Leeds ran out 28-12 winners, with tries from talented fullback Zak Hardaker, Danny McGuire, Tom Briscoe, Ryan Hall and Liam Sutcliffe. However, things aren't going all to plan at the Wigan camp, with injuries to some massive players which will be a real blow for the side. Liam Farrell, Eddy Pettybourne, Sean O'Loughlin, Iain Thornley and Tony Clubb will all miss out on this thrilling Magic Weekend clash through injury, and Josh Charnley is still yet to return since his injury which was sustained in Wigan's Challenge Cup victory at Dewsbury. That's a long list of injuries.
It's not all doom and gloom though, as the Wigan side put on a great performance last weekend against Hull FC, with many key-names out for the game. The win was described as: "Best we've had this year", by Wigan coach Shaun Wane, in which he went on to claim that it was "better than the St Helens one and you know what I think about them". So, we all know Wigan can still perform even without big players. But are Leeds too tough for Wigan to handle without the big names, like O'Loughlin and Farrell? Only time will tell.
Leeds aren't all that different, with Burrow and Aiton still out with injuries, however, Ryan Hall and Ian Kirke have been named for the Rhinos in the 19-man squad after being missing in the Rhinos' win last Thursday against the impressive Castleford Tigers. Leeds are the best-performing team of the season and their quality to perform each week is tremendous. It is always great to be on a roll, but it's even better at this time of the year, with Magic Weekend coming up, then the next round of the Challenge Cup not far either. With Ryan Hall's return, and presuming he is chosen to play, he and Hardaker are the one's Wigan have to keep an eye-out for, as they both have proved to be world-class not only against Wigan in Round 11, but throughout the whole season so far. The question is, can Zak push for the number 1 spot for England for this year's Four Nations?
Clash of the game-
Zak Hardaker vs Matty Bowen- A tale of the young, and the..well..not so young. Zak Hardaker has been described as many things this season, but to be described as a fullback better than any other in the NRL by team-mate Jamie Peacock is a statement to live up to, and if he can prove this, he will surely over-take Sam Tomkins for the England number 1 jersey. Zak Hardaker has played some terrific rugby so far this season, in both attack and defence, and he caused many problems for the Wigan side in their last clash, and even got himself over the white wash after running around, then through the Wigan defence. Matty Bowen knows all about pressure and will know exactly how to handle it, playing for Australia, Indigenous All Stars and Queensland in the State of Origin. It's clear to see Matty had a slow start to the year, but now he has settled in well into the Wigan camp and it is clear to see he is comfortable playing with his team-mates and he is really starting to show his class. Matty Bowen will be looking to play his best game of the season this Saturday at the Magic Weekend. It's going to be a good battle to view.
Leeds Rhinos 19-man squad- Zak Hardaker, Ben Jones-Bishop, Kallum Watkins, Joel Moon, Ryan Hall, Danny McGuir, Kylie Leuluai, Jamie Peacock, Carl Ablett, Kevin Sinfield (c), Stevie Ward, Brett Delaney, Ryan Bailey, Ian Kirke, Chris Clarkson, Mitch Achurch, Tom Briscoe, Liam Sutcliffe, Brad Singleton.
Wigan Warriors 19-man squad- Ben Austin, John Bateman, Matt Bowen, Joe Burgess, Greg Burke, Dom Crosby, Connor Farrell, Anthony Gelling, Blake Green, Darrell Goulding, Jack Hughes, Dom Manfredi, Michael McIlorum, Sam Powell, Dan Sarginson, Matty Smith, Ryan Sutton, Scott Taylor, George Williams.
Not long to go now!
Prediction-
Leeds Rhinos 22-10 Wigan Warriors
Tweet me your predictions @RLLatest on Twitter!
Thanks for reading!
Wigan Warriors will be looking for revenge after their last defeat by the Leeds Rhinos in Round 11, where Leeds ran out 28-12 winners, with tries from talented fullback Zak Hardaker, Danny McGuire, Tom Briscoe, Ryan Hall and Liam Sutcliffe. However, things aren't going all to plan at the Wigan camp, with injuries to some massive players which will be a real blow for the side. Liam Farrell, Eddy Pettybourne, Sean O'Loughlin, Iain Thornley and Tony Clubb will all miss out on this thrilling Magic Weekend clash through injury, and Josh Charnley is still yet to return since his injury which was sustained in Wigan's Challenge Cup victory at Dewsbury. That's a long list of injuries.
It's not all doom and gloom though, as the Wigan side put on a great performance last weekend against Hull FC, with many key-names out for the game. The win was described as: "Best we've had this year", by Wigan coach Shaun Wane, in which he went on to claim that it was "better than the St Helens one and you know what I think about them". So, we all know Wigan can still perform even without big players. But are Leeds too tough for Wigan to handle without the big names, like O'Loughlin and Farrell? Only time will tell.
Leeds aren't all that different, with Burrow and Aiton still out with injuries, however, Ryan Hall and Ian Kirke have been named for the Rhinos in the 19-man squad after being missing in the Rhinos' win last Thursday against the impressive Castleford Tigers. Leeds are the best-performing team of the season and their quality to perform each week is tremendous. It is always great to be on a roll, but it's even better at this time of the year, with Magic Weekend coming up, then the next round of the Challenge Cup not far either. With Ryan Hall's return, and presuming he is chosen to play, he and Hardaker are the one's Wigan have to keep an eye-out for, as they both have proved to be world-class not only against Wigan in Round 11, but throughout the whole season so far. The question is, can Zak push for the number 1 spot for England for this year's Four Nations?
Clash of the game-
Zak Hardaker vs Matty Bowen- A tale of the young, and the..well..not so young. Zak Hardaker has been described as many things this season, but to be described as a fullback better than any other in the NRL by team-mate Jamie Peacock is a statement to live up to, and if he can prove this, he will surely over-take Sam Tomkins for the England number 1 jersey. Zak Hardaker has played some terrific rugby so far this season, in both attack and defence, and he caused many problems for the Wigan side in their last clash, and even got himself over the white wash after running around, then through the Wigan defence. Matty Bowen knows all about pressure and will know exactly how to handle it, playing for Australia, Indigenous All Stars and Queensland in the State of Origin. It's clear to see Matty had a slow start to the year, but now he has settled in well into the Wigan camp and it is clear to see he is comfortable playing with his team-mates and he is really starting to show his class. Matty Bowen will be looking to play his best game of the season this Saturday at the Magic Weekend. It's going to be a good battle to view.
Leeds Rhinos 19-man squad- Zak Hardaker, Ben Jones-Bishop, Kallum Watkins, Joel Moon, Ryan Hall, Danny McGuir, Kylie Leuluai, Jamie Peacock, Carl Ablett, Kevin Sinfield (c), Stevie Ward, Brett Delaney, Ryan Bailey, Ian Kirke, Chris Clarkson, Mitch Achurch, Tom Briscoe, Liam Sutcliffe, Brad Singleton.
Wigan Warriors 19-man squad- Ben Austin, John Bateman, Matt Bowen, Joe Burgess, Greg Burke, Dom Crosby, Connor Farrell, Anthony Gelling, Blake Green, Darrell Goulding, Jack Hughes, Dom Manfredi, Michael McIlorum, Sam Powell, Dan Sarginson, Matty Smith, Ryan Sutton, Scott Taylor, George Williams.
Not long to go now!
Prediction-
Leeds Rhinos 22-10 Wigan Warriors
Tweet me your predictions @RLLatest on Twitter!
Thanks for reading!