Wigan Warriors are looking to end an already productive season on a high as they face Leeds on Friday in the Super League semi-final at the DW Sadium
Their trophy cabinet is already fit to burst after they emerged victorious in this year’s Challenge Cup.
Speaking at the ClubCall announcement last week, head coach Shaun Wane was optimistic about Wigan’s chances of claiming the Super League title.
“Leeds are very battle-hardened. They’ve been in this situation before. They’ve had the upper-hand on us these last few years, but we’re running on confidence,” he said.
“We’ve got 80 minutes and we will give it our best shot.”
The clash between the two opens up old wounds for Wigan as Leeds sent them out of the competition at the same stage last year, and when the two met at the start of the season Leeds once again emerged triumphant.
However, Wigan have wrestled back some of the initiative beating the Rhinos 16-20 at Headingley in May. Despite this, Wane feels that his players are capable of more.
“We played really well against them in May and we were the winners that day. We all know what we’re playing for,” he said.
We can improve on our performance of a few weeks ago and I know we can do better than we did.”
Wigan are without their captain Sean O’Loughlin due to an Achilles injury but the game will serve as a potential swansong for full-back Sam Tomkins.
Tomkins has agreed a record-breaking fee to join New Zealand Warriors at the end of the season.
When asked how the players deal with such a big occasion, Wane said it was a question of mentally preparing the players.
“At this time of the year it’s mental preparation. We’ve played Leeds and Huddersfield so we know their capabilities and our tactics. We know how to win against them.”
The game promises to be full of fight and energy, yet this year’s Super League has been shrouded in controversy with the continuation of the ClubCall.
The ClubCall initiative allows the team who finish top of the table to choose their opponents for the first semi-final. This year, Warrington Wolves chose to face Huddersfield, but Wire head coach Tony Jordan boycotted the event after publicly stating his dislike of the process.
“I don’t have any strong opinions on ClubCall” said Wane.
“The one thing I do have a strong opinion on is when the game ended, the decision could have been made then on who was going to play, to give us more time to prepare.
“However, we won’t let this distract us. It is 80 minutes of total concentration. We’re in control and we can do it.”
Image courtesy of UK Rugby League, with thanks
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