A Nail-Biting Last Round
12 Sep 2019
It all comes down to this, the final round of the Super League calendar, the fight for the play-offs is alive and the fight to survive will go down to the wire.
Friday night will be packed full of drama and you can follow it live on Sky Sports Main Event, as Friday the 13th will be unlucky for one team, who will it be?
Thursday
Wigan Warriors vs Castleford Tigers (Live on Sky Sports, 7:45PM)
Wigan Warriors go into their game at the DW Stadium knowing they have already secured a place in the Betfred Super League play-offs.
They’ll be without Liam Marshall (hamstring injury) and Liam Farrell who picked up a one-match suspension.
Castleford Tigers know a win would guarantee a place in the play-offs, however, a loss and they’ll be sitting nervously on Friday night, hoping Hull FC do not win at against St Helens.
Adrian Lam has set the gauntlet for Young Player of the Year nominee Jake Trueman: “Trueman is the key player, but he’s up against the best defensive edge in the competition on our right-hand side."
Friday
Wakefield Trinity vs London Broncos (Live on Sky Sports, 7:45PM)
The objective for London Broncos is simple, they have to win to secure Super League survival, a loss would not be good enough for Danny Ward’s men to stay up. A win for London would endanger Wakefield, Huddersfield and Hull KR.
Ryan Atkins could make his second Wakefield Trinity debut, after he joined from Warrington Wolves, he replaces the injured Anthony England.
Atkins’ boss Chris Chester said: "He’s been a real positive influence on the group for the three or four weeks since he's been here. He's been in all the team meetings. He's a player that's got that experience.??
Huddersfield Giants vs Catalans Dragons
Catalans Dragons are one of the only teams who are not fighting for survival or the play-offs, however, they could have a big say in the relegation battle with a victory at Huddersfield.
Catalans will be without seven first team players; Matt Whitley, David Mead, Tony Gigot, Fouad Yaha, Sam Moa, Kenny Edwards and Jodie Broughton, however, Ben Garcia is back from suspension.
Matt Frawley, Oliver Roberts and Aaron Murphy return to the squad, but Tom Holmes, Sam Hewitt and Michael Lawrence.
Hull FC vs St Helens
Lee Radford will be watching Castleford’s encounter with Wigan closely, a Wigan win would give them a chance of reaching the play-offs, however, a Castleford win would mean FC miss out on the play-offs.
Justin Holbrook’s side have already confirmed their place in the play-offs by winning the League Leaders’ Shield, Saints announced their new coach for 2020 this week, former Tonga coach, Kristian Woolf.
St Helens star Jonny Lomax will be looking to get on the scoresheet, one try against FC and he reaches his 100th Super League try.
FC’s Jordan Lane won their Young Player of the Year award, he comes into their 19-man squad alongside Andre Savelio, they replace Sika Manu and Jack Logan.
Danny Richardson misses out for St Helens, he’s replaced by Joseph Paulo.
Leeds Rhinos vs Warrington Wolves
No matter the outcome of Friday night’s match-up Leeds will remain a Super League team as they sit two points ahead of Wakefield and London, who play against each other and will drop points.
Warrington Wolves are mathematically still in danger of losing a play-off place, it would require a miracle with Hull FC’s points difference 300 behind Warrington’s.
Jack Hughes and Ben Westwood replace Harvey Livett and Lama Tasi in Steve Price’s 19-man squad.
Salford Red Devils vs Hull KR
Like Warrington Wolves, it would be a miracle for Salford not to make the play-offs, they have a far superior points difference than FC, and are two points in front of Radford’s men.
Hull KR need a win, a loss, and they would be depending on Wakefield to beat London for their survival.
Danny McGuire’s last Super League game will be at the AJ Bell Stadium, one point will see him reach 1,000 Super League points.
KR will be without Joel Tomkins after he had a one-match penalty notice doubled following a lost appeal to the RFL disciplinary panel, Jimmy Keinhorst also misses out due to concussion.
Full back Adam Quinlan and forward George Lawler make Tony Smith’s 19-man squad. Ian Watson has called up Ryan Lannon and Adam Lawton to his Salford side.
