Why should I watch?

A tricky one this week, as there does not appear to be much reason to!

The Wire are six days away from a formidable-looking trip to St Helens in the Super League semi-finals, so one would assume Steve Price would be looking to keep his powder dry.

That is not the case, however, as many of Wolves’ front-line players will be in action at the Mobile Rocket Stadium.

Three defeats in a row would constitute Warrington’s worst losing sequence of the season. Whilst form is said to count for nothing in knock-out football, Price will nevertheless be keen to avoid another loss before the serious stuff starts.

Wakefield, too, will be keen to finish on a high and cement a second consecutive fifth-place finish.

Wolves won 32-30 on their last visit to Wakefield in June. Picture by Bob Brough/Warrington Wolves

What they’ve said:

“The Wakefield game is still a really important one for us. They will want to finish the season on a high and they have played strong football all year.

“It’s about us getting back on track this week. We have to focus on getting our back yard in order and keep growing our game.

“It’s important that the players who are available get out there again to get themselves in the best possible form for St Helens.”

Steve Price, Warrington Wolves head coach

 

“To go out on a high will be very pleasing for us as coaches and I’m sure for the fans as well.

“When we got the split, we wanted to win more games than we lost and to finish fifth.

“We’ve got a great chance of doing that in front of our supporters.”

Chris Chester, Wakefield Trinity head coach

 

Numbers game:

Joe Philbin is on course to break a record this evening.

If, as expected, he comes off the interchange bench this evening, it will be his 33rd substitute appearance of the campaign.

That would be a new club record, eclipsing the mark George King set in 2016.

Joe Philbin could break a club record tonight. Picture by Mike Boden

Warrington team news:

Steve Price will be without both of his first-choice half-backs as Tyrone Roberts (concussion) and Kevin Brown (abductor muscle) succumb to injury.

There had been doubts over the fitness of Ben Murdoch-Masila (ankle) and Bodene Thompson (rib), but both second-rowers are passed fit to play.

Declan Patton and Harvey Livett are set to start in the halves once again, while Daryl Clark and Jack Hughes will come back into the side and Sitaleki Akauola returns to the squad after a five-game absence.

Tom Lineham serves the second of a two-match ban, which was reduced on appeal earlier this week.

Squad: Sitaleki Akauola, Ryan Atkins, Josh Charnley, Daryl Clark, Mike Cooper, Bryson Goodwin, Chris Hill, Jack Hughes, Luis Johnson, George King, Toby King, Harvey Livett, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Declan Patton, Joe Philbin, Ben Pomeroy, Stefan Ratchford, Morgan Smith, Bodene Thompson, Ben Westwood.

Sitaleki Akauola could play for the first time in five games tonight. Picture by Mike Boden

Wakefield team news:

Trinity have made two changes to their squad from last week’s defeat at neighbours Castleford, with former Wire prop Anthony England and Scott Grix dropping out.

They are replaced by Max Jowitt and Lewis Wray, who could make his Super League debut.

Squad: Chris Annakin, Tinirau Arona, Joe Arundel, Matty Ashurst, James Batchelor, Jordan Crowther, Ryan Hampshire, Justin Horo, Craig Huby, Ben Jones-Bishop, Max Jowitt, Danny Kirmond, Reece Lyne, Jacob Miller, Pauli Pauli, Tyler Randell, Bill Tupou, Kyle Wood, Lewis Wray.

One to watch:

Pauli Pauli

The second rower is the literal definition of a big player for Wakefield, tipping the scales at just over 25 stone.

While that often makes him a target for the jibes of rival fans, Pauli does his talking on the field.

The Wire will have to be sharp in their edge defence when he comes onto the field, while the personal duel Pauli had with Ben Murdoch-Masila at The Halliwell Jones Stadium in March was a firecracker.

Ben Westwood prepares for contact with the imposing Pauli Pauli. Picture by Bob Brough/Warrington Wolves

Match odds (via Betfred):

Wakefield 11/10

Warrington 8/11

Draw 25/1

Essential info:

When: Friday, September 28, 2018

Kick off: 7.45pm

Where: The Mobile Rocket Stadium, Doncaster Road, Wakefield WF1 5EY

Wakefields' Mobile Rocket Stadium

Match officials:

Referee: M Griffiths

Touch judges: M Craven, J Roberts

In-goal officials: M Hawkes, J Butcher

Matchday ticket prices:

£21 adults, £15 concessions, £5 juniors.

How can I follow the game?

The Warrington Guardian will, as always, be providing extensive coverage of tonight’s game.

‘Matchday Live’ will be with you all evenuing up to the final hooter and beyond. Sports editor Mike Parsons will be in position at Belle Vue to bring you all the build-up, match action as it happens and post-match reaction.

Keep an eye on the ‘Warrington Wolves – Warrington Guardian’ Facebook page as Mike goes live with his pre-match thoughts and later, his ‘On The Hooter’ match summary.

After the final hooter, we will bring you all the reaction from the Wolves camp, plus the chance to choose your man of the match in our poll.