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Super League semi showdown

Roar Guru
1st October, 2014
4

Wigan and St Helens are primed to book their place in next weekend’s Super League grand final.

Each have home semi-finals in front of them and have enjoyed a week off, with Wigan taking on Warrington at the DW Stadium and Saints facing Catalans at Langtree Park.

Both are being heavily picked to knock off their opponents and meet in the decider at Old Trafford.

Despite their terrible injury toll St Helens smashed Castleford 41-0 in week one of the playoffs and then chose to play the Dragons on Thursday, who had edged Leeds and Huddersfield.

The French side are up against it, flying across the Channel three times in the past three weeks for games. Catalans are notoriously bad travellers but they have managed to just pip Leeds, courtesy of a Rhinos goal-line fumble, and the Giants with a late try.

The Dragons are on a high, after finishing in seventh spot in the top eight, but will have to play out of their skins to beat Saints.

Nathan Brown has got St Helens purring at the right time of the year, even without their host of missing playmakers. James Roby has stepped up, Jordan Turner has been impressive and Paul Wellens continues to lead them well.

Few had backed Saints at the start of the finals but they should prove to be too strong for their Gallic opponents. No one is expecting much from Catalans, but to have the French club in the Super League grand final would be a real coup.

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Michael Oldfield has been a highlight in his first Super League season on the wing while Elliot Whitehead’s form could see him be selected for England. The Frenchmen could have Todd Carney to call on next year, but should be out-gunned at Langtree Park this time around.

Watch below as I preview this semi-final and the Wigan-Warrington match-up with League Express editor Martyn Sadler.

On Friday night traditional rivals Wigan and Warrington come head-to-head. A replay of last year’s grand final, won by the Warriors, this should be a beauty.

Wigan is in tremendous form and have no injury concerns. At home and with the benefit of a week off, they will be extremely difficult to beat.

On the other hand, Warrington arrive after just defeating Widnes and then recording a grinding, tough win over Cas.

The Wolves are slowing finding a bit of form but have yet to give a complete 80-minute performance, as they readily admit. Against the Vikings their attack was great but their defence was poor. Against the Tigers their line was near unbreakable but they were a bit wasteful with the ball in hand.

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The Wire are also missing a host of players, and both Matty Russell and Ben Westwood could be out of this match, while Joel Monaghan picked up a dislocated finger against the Tigers.

These two teams enjoy a strong history together and this promises to be a juicy encounter. Their game several weeks ago, when Wigan fought back with a few late tries to steal a win, was one of the games of the 2014 season.

Warrington know it was a match they should have won and will be desperate for revenge. If they can cut out the errors, and compete for 80 minutes, the favourites Wigan are in for a real test.

Follow John Davidson on Twitter @johnnyddavidson

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