Why should I watch?
Why wouldn’t you?
Tonight, The Wire will try to beat the odds and reach their fourth Super League Grand Final.
They travel to Super League’s most dominant side and have been written off by almost everybody.
Will the tag of underdogs bring the best out of Steve Price’s side and allow them to book their ticket to the big dance?
Daryl Clark scores during The Wire's last trip to St Helens in July. Picture by Mike Boden
What they’ve said:
“It’s the best time of year. We’ve worked extremely hard all year to get to this point.
“We’re not getting ahead of ourselves. All 17 of our players are going to have to be at their very best.
“We’re at the business end and we’re excited to challenge ourselves against the best team in Super League.”
Steve Price, Warrington Wolves head coach
“Like us, they have been smart about the way they have gone about it in the past few weeks.
“Come Thursday both teams are going to be firing and it will be a great game.
“It is a fine line (between aggression and discipline) - they will be fired up understandably, but so will we.”
Justin Holbrook, St Helens head coach
St Helens head coach Justin Holbrook. Picture by Bernard Platt
Numbers game:
Tom Lineham returns to the Wire side tonight, and he is edging closer to a milestone.
The former Hull winger is just three tries away from his 100th Super League touchdown.
Tom Lineham has sat out the last two games through suspension. Picture by Mike Boden
Warrington team news:
As well as Tom Lineham’s return from a two-match suspension, Steve Price is able to call upon half-backs Kevin Brown and Tyrone Roberts once again.
Brown has recovered from an abductor muscle problem, while Roberts is fit again after suffering a concussion during the 34-14 defeat to Saints two weeks ago.
Price’s biggest selection headaches appear to be at right centre – with Toby King and Ryan Atkins fighting it out to partner Josh Charnley – and whether the final spot in the matchday 17 goes to Bodene Thompson or Harvey Livett.
Sitaleki Akauola, Ben Pomeroy and Morgan Smith are the ones to drop out of the 19-man squad.
Squad: Ryan Atkins, Kevin Brown, Josh Charnley, Daryl Clark, Mike Cooper, Bryson Goodwin, Chris Hill, Jack Hughes, George King, Toby King, Tom Lineham, Harvey Livett, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Declan Patton, Joe Philbin, Stefan Ratchford, Tyrone Roberts, Bodene Thompson, Ben Westwood.
Kevin Brown returns for Wolves tonight. Picture by Mike Boden
St Helens team news:
Justin Holbrook was able to rest front-line stars Jonny Lomax, Luke Thompson and Jon Wilkin for last week’s 26-0 win over Castleford Tigers.
All three return to the squad this week, replacing Matty Costello, James Bentley and Jake Spedding.
Squad: Jonny Lomax, Tommy Makinson, Ryan Morgan, Mark Percival, Theo Fages, James Roby, Kyle Amor, Zeb Taia, Jon Wilkin, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Luke Douglas, Morgan Knowles, Luke Thompson, Dom Peyroux, Danny Richardson, Regan Grace, Matty Lees, Jack Ashworth, Ben Barba.
Jon Wilkin is one of three players brought back into the Saints squad. Picture by Bernard Platt
One to watch:
Ben Barba
Finally, Super League’s worst-kept secret has been revealed as Ben Barba’s move back to the NRL to join North Queensland Cowboys was announced last week.
However, he will be determined to return to his homeland with a Grand Final winner’s ring and the Man of Steel prize.
He is bookies’ favourite for the game’s top individual honour, and with 28 Super League tries this season and almost as many assists, it is easy to see why.
Ben Barba. Picture by Bernard Platt
Match odds (via Betfred):
St Helens 2/5
Warrington 5/2
Draw (after 80 mins) 28/1
Essential info:
When: Thursday, October 4, 2018
Kick off: 7.45pm
Where: The Totally Wicked Stadium, McManus Drive, St Helens, WA9 3AL
The Totally Wicked Stadium
Match officials:
Referee: Robert Hicks
Touch judges: Liam Moore, Jack Smith
Video referee: James Child
Matchday ticket prices:
Terracing (East Terrace): £22.50 adults, £15.50 concessions (aged 65 and over) and young adults (aged 19-21), £13 teens (aged 17-18), £10 juniors (aged 16 and under)
Seating (North Stand, Block I): £25 adults, £18.50 concessions and young adults, £15 teens
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 evening up to the final hooter and beyond. Sports editor Mike Parsons and sports reporter Matt Turner will both be at the Totally Wicked Stadium to bring you all the build-up, match action as it happens and post-match reaction.
Keep an eye on our ‘Warrington Wolves – Warrington Guardian’ Facebook page for our live match preview and ‘On The Hooter’ summary right on full time.
After the final hooter, we will bring you all the reaction from the Wolves camp, plus a photo gallery and the chance to choose your man of the match in our poll.
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