Why should I watch?
It’s a new era for The Wire, with new faces on and off the pitch.
Steve Price has had a brief taste of English rugby league with three friendly matches, but his first taste of Super League comes tonight.
With the promise of a tougher and more resilient Wire team, an opening-night clash against defending champions Leeds is a huge chance to lay down a marker.
With Tyrone Roberts also set to make his first appearance in a primrose and blue jersey, it will be interesting to see whether or not he can provide the spark from the halves Wolves were so lacking in last year.
What they’ve said:
“I’ve been really pleased with the intensity and commitment of the playing group. The players are over the pre-season now, they just want to start playing.
“There has been a bit of a spring in their step in the past couple of sessions. This is where the ‘fun’ element of tuition and training starts.
“Hopefully we can get a big crowd at The Halliwell Jones Stadium come Thursday night to help us along.”
Steve Price, Warrington Wolves head coach.
Wire head coach Steve Price. Picture by Mike Boden
“We’ve been waiting a long time for it. There’s a good energy in the changing room and you can tell everyone is ready and raring to go.
“They’ve had a big changeover from last year. It’s going to be pretty different from when I was there.
“They’ve got some strong individuals that will get them off to good starts. We’ve got to go there with the right mindset and get stuck into them.”
Brad Dwyer, Leeds Rhinos’ ex-Wire hooker.
Brad Dwyer left Wolves at the end of 2017 to join Leeds. Picture by Mike Boden
Warrington team news:
Price will be without three players for 2018’s curtain-raiser, including new signing Sitaleki Akauola.
The prop, along with fellow front-rower Dom Crosby and centre Toby King, has not recovered from injury in time to play.
However, Roberts and Dec Patton have been included in the squad and will be given every chance to prove their fitness.
Squad: Ryan Atkins, Kevin Brown, Mitch Brown, Daryl Clark, Mike Cooper, Ben Currie, Bryson Goodwin, Chris Hill, Jack Hughes, George King, Tom Lineham, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Declan Patton, Joe Philbin, Stefan Ratchford, Tyrone Roberts, Matty Russell, Morgan Smith, Ben Westwood.
Tyrone Roberts could make his first Wolves appearance tonight. Picture by Mike Boden
Leeds team news:
Rhinos boss Brian McDermott has injury worries of his own ahead of the trip to The Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Stevie Ward, Brett Ferres and Keith Galloway are all missing, but McDermott has been able to include new signings Nathaniel Peteru and ex-Wire pair Richie Myler and Brad Dwyer in his squad.
Leeds will be captained for the first time by former Latchford Albion junior Kallum Watkins, who took the role following the departure of Danny McGuire to Hull KR.
Squad: Ashton Golding, Tom Briscoe, Kallum Watkins, Liam Sutcliffe, Ryan Hall, Joel Moon, Richie Myler, Adam Cuthbertson, Matt Parcell, Brad Singleton, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Carl Ablett, Brad Dwyer, Brett Delaney, Anthony Mullally, Mitch Garbutt, Nathaniel Peteru, Jack Ormondroyd, Jack Walker.
Richie Myler could make his Leeds debut on his old stomping ground. Picture by Mike Boden
Opposition player to watch:
Matt Parcell.
Everyone in Super League is now perfectly clear about what the Rhinos hooker is capable of after a superb debut year last year.
Replacing James Segeyaro was a tough ask, but Australian Parcell took to life at Headingley like a duck to water.
He scored 17 Super League tries last year, including a hat-trick against The Wire at Headingley in May.
The 25-year-old will be extremely dangerous in rotation with ex-Wire man Brad Dwyer through the middle.
Matt Parcell, seen here getting into a scuffle with Kevin Brown, scored a hat-trick against The Wire in their last meeting with Leeds. Picture by Mike Boden.
Numbers game:
It has been almost seven years since The Wire lost a home game against Leeds. The last time the Rhinos won a league game at The Halliwell Jones Stadium was in 2011.
Match odds (via Betfred):
Warrington 8/13
Leeds 11/8
Draw 25/1
Essential info:
When: Thursday, February 1.
Kick off: 7.45pm.
Where: The Halliwell Jones Stadium, Mike Gregory Way, Warrington WA2 7NE.
Officials:
Referee: Phil Bentham.
Touch judges: L Moore, J Smith.
Video referee: Ben Thaler.
Phil Bentham will referee tonight's game. Picture by Mike Boden
Match day ticket prices:
North Stand: £31.50 adults, £22 concessions, young adults 16-23 and juniors 5-16, infants free.
East Stand: £26 adults, £18 concessions, young adults and juniors, infants free.
South Stand: £22 adults, £16 concessions, young adults and juniors, infants free.
West Stand (visiting supporters): £22 adults, £16 concessions, young adults and juniors, infants free.
How can I follow the game?
THE Warrington Guardian will, as always be providing extensive coverage of tonight’s game.
Before kick off, get this week’s issue of the Guardian to find our 16-page season preview pullout, features plenty of interviews and opinions from in and around the Wire camp.
As the game nears, ‘Matchday Live’ will be up and running at around 6pm. Sports editor Mike Parsons and sports reporter Matt Turner will both be in position at The Halliwell Jones Stadium to bring you all the build-up, match action as it happens and post-match reaction.
Look out for Matt’s Facebook Live videos before and after the game on our ‘Warrington Wolves – Warrington Guardian’ page, while a post-match gallery of photos will also be available courtesy of photographer Mike Boden.
You will be able to join in the discussion with us via our social media channels, ‘Warrington Wolves – Warrington Guardian’ on Facebook and @WG_Sport on Twitter.
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