HISTORY of Warrington Wolves' opening matches to a Super League campaign would indicate a tight clash is in store with Leeds Rhinos at The Halliwell Jones Stadium today.
THE BACKGROUND:
Since the birth of the Super League era in 1996, The Wire have scored 498 points in games that open the season and conceded 494.
That provides an average of Warrington winning 22-21. Could we be in for a historic golden-point finish?
The Wire have won 12, drawn one and lost 10 of their round one fixtures.
They have only lost three season-openers at The Halliwell Jones Stadium - Salford in 2006, St Helens in 2014 and Leeds in 2018.
Tyrone Roberts in defence mode for The Wire in last season's home defeat to Leeds Rhinos. Pictures: Mike Boden
There has never been a Wire home draw on the kick-off to a new campaign in the Super League era.
TAKING THE LEEDS:
Going into the 24th season of summer rugby, Leeds will be Warrington's opponents on opening day for the fifth time - more than any other club.
The standings currently read two wins each, including a victory for The Wire at Headingley in the two teams' first ever Super League game.
Winger Mark Forster is clamped from behind as his former Wire teammate closes in during the two club's first ever game of Super League in 1996 at Headingley. Picture: Mike Boden
WIRE'S SUPER LEAGUE OPENERS:
1996: Leeds Rhinos (A) won 22-18
1997: Bradford Bulls (A) lost 20-58
1998: Leeds Rhinos (A) lost 8-30
1999: Halifax Blue Sox (A) won 16-14
2000: London Broncos (H) won 48-18
Allan Langer scores on his Super League debut for The Wire against London at Wilderspool Stadium in 2000. Picture: Mike Boden
2001: Wigan Warriors (A) lost 6-34
2002: Halifax Blue Sox (H) won 30-22
2003: Huddersfield Giants (A) won 20-8
2004: Wakefield Trinity Wildcats (H) won 34-20
A young Ben Westwood in battle against his former club Wakefield in the very first game at The Halliwell Jones Stadium in 2004. Picture: Mike Boden
2005: London Broncos (A) lost 24-28
2006: Salford City Reds (H) lost 6-24
2007: Wigan Warriors (A) won 16-10
2008: Hull FC (H) won 32-20
2009: St Helens (A) lost 14-26
2010: Harlequins RL (H) won 58-0
One of five tries for winger Chris Riley in The Wire's huge round-one win against Harlequins in 2010. Picture: Mike Boden
2011: Huddersfield Giants (N) lost 18-28
2012: Hull FC (A) drawn 20-20
2013: Castleford Tigers (H) won 40-24
2014: St Helens (H) lost 8-38
2015: Salford Red Devils (H) won 22-8
A nice try for Richie Myler, now the Leeds scrum half, in the victory over Salford on day one in 2015. Picture: Mike Boden
2016: Leeds Rhinos (A) won 12-10
2017: Catalans Dragons (A) lost 12-20
2018: Leeds Rhinos (H) lost 12-16
WIRE V RHINOS RECORDS:
Ahead of today's highly anticipated fixture, fans can note the Warrington scoring records for home matches against Leeds.
Current Wire forward Ben Westwood holds one of them.
His four tries against Leeds in the play-off game on September 14, 2013, has never been matched.
One of Bennie Westwood's four tries against Leeds in the 2013 play-offs. Picture: Mike Boden
Quite a few kickers have managed eight goals in a Wire home meeting with Leeds, the most recent being Kurt Gidley on May 27, 2016.
Kurt Gidley kicked eight goals, equalling the Wire record for a game against Leeds. Picture: Mike Boden
But it is Iestyn Harris, a man to have his feet in both camps during his illustrious career, who has racked up the most points with 23 when he appeared at stand-off for The Wire in a 47-14 success at Wilderspool on November 29, 1995.
Points machine Iestyn Harris avoids a challenge from Adrian Morley in the 1995-96 clash between The Wire and Leeds at Wilderspool Stadium.
WHAT ABOUT PRIOR TO SUPER LEAGUE?:
Before Super League came about in 1996, Wire only started the season off against Leeds on two occasions.
But of those matches both proved to be Warrington wins, 15-11 at Headingley in 1964-65 and 28-13 at Wilderspool in 1981-82.
This is the first time Warrington have started a new term with two Saturday games - with Hull KR being the visitors on February 9 - since 1968.
AND IS THERE A MILESTONE ON THIS WIRE V LEEDS OCCASION?
Jack Hughes is set to make his 100th appearance in primrose and blue on the day he is co-captain of the team for the first time.
Jack Hughes during pre-season training in Portugal last month.
With additional reporting from Stan Lewandowski, secretary of Warrington Players' Association
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