Play-Off Semi-Finals preview

Wigan Warriors v Leeds Rhinos

Friday 16 September, DW Stadium, 8pm KO, Sky Sports Arena

Team news

The Warriors are back in action after a week off and make just one change to their 21-man squad following their last game two weeks ago. 

Cade Cust misses out after suffering an elbow injury against Catalans in Round 27 - he is replaced by the returning Sam Powell who has recovered from a foot injury.

Wigan are also without Dream Team second-row Liam Farrell for the remainder of the year after scans confirmed he suffered a knee injury against St Helens in Round 25. Farrell will also be unavailable should the Warriors progress to next weeks Grand Final. 

Any hopes of Harry Newman returning to the Rhinos side have been put to rest after he was omitted from the 21-man squad this week. He joins Ash Handley and David Fusitu'a on the side lines due to injury.

Morgan Gannon also drops out of the Rhinos squad after failing his HIA against Catalans Dragons last week, whilst Rhyse Martin is unavailable following the unsuccessful appeal of his two match ban.

Mikolaj Oledzki is included for the Rhinos Semi-Final decider despite leaving the field with a shoulder injury last time out, and youngster Jack Sinfield also comes into the 21-man squad.

Wigan Warriors: Bevan French, Jake Bibby, Liam Marshall, Thomas Leuluai, Brad Singleton, Sam Powell, Patrick Mago, Willie Isa, John Bateman, Morgan Smithies, Kaide Ellis, Harry Smith, Oliver Partington, Ethan Havard, Liam Byrne, Kai Pearce-Paul, Joe Shorrocks, Jai Field, Abbas Miski, Brad O'Neill, Mike Cooper.

Leeds Rhinos: Liam Sutcliffe, Blake Austin, Aidan Sezer, Mikolaj Oledzki, Kruise Leeming, Matt Prior, James Bentley, Zane Tetevano, Brad Dwyer, Richie Myler, Cameron Smith, Bodene Thompson, Tom Briscoe, Sam Walters, Jarrod O'Connor, James Donaldson, Corey Johnson, Muizz Mustapha, Liam Tindall, Jack Sinfield, Zak Hardaker.

A hat-trick and try-saver ??

Jai Field was 🔥 when @WiganWarriorsRL defeated the Rhinos back in Round 2

Will he be the difference again in Friday's semi-final? Live on @SkySportsRL Arena, 8pm KO 📺#SuperLeague #SLWigLee pic.twitter.com/0Ktqih65oW
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 12, 2022

Prediction

A valiant Rhinos performance in last week's Play-Off Eliminator kept their season alive. It was a feisty encounter in the South of France but Leeds dealt with the challenge superbly, knocking last year's League Leaders and Grand Finalists out of contention for end of season honours.

This week, they face an even greater challenge. The Warriors are unbeaten at home in 2022 and already have a Challenge Cup to their name - so they know how to win knock out matches. They will be the fresher of the two teams after a weeks rest and have plenty of strike power ready to take the Rhinos by storm.

The Warriors will be favourites - and rightly so. But Leeds have shown real grit during the second half of the season and toughed it out in a hostile environment last time out.

That being said, it's hard to see Wigan missing out on a trip to Old Trafford.

Warriors by 12

Last 10 meetings

Leeds 42, Wigan 12 (SLR20, 21/7/22)
Wigan 34, Leeds 12 (SLR2, 18/2/22)
Wigan 0, Leeds 8 (SL-E, 23/9/21)
Wigan 0, Leeds 14 (SLR21, 25/8/21)
Leeds 6, Wigan 19 (SLR3, 15/4/21)
Leeds 26, Wigan 12 (CCSF, 3/10/20)
Wigan 28, Leeds 10 (SLR9, 16/8/20)
Leeds 14, Wigan 23 (SLR18, 14/6/19)
Wigan 34, Leeds 16 (SLR2, 8/2/19)
Wigan 46, Leeds 8 (SLR19, 28/6/18)

The Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel Nominees have had seasons to remember 🙌

Who are you backing to take home the award? 👊 pic.twitter.com/itjVEwrzPN
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 13, 2022

St Helens v Salford Red Devils

Saturday 17 September, Totally Wicked Stadium, 1pm KO, Sky Sports Arena & Channel 4

St Helens name a 20-man squad for their Play-Off Semi-Final against Salford on Saturday. The Saints are boosted by the return of Mark Percival and Sione Mata'utia - Percival hasn't featured since May due to injury, whilst Mata'utia has been on the sidelines since Round 23.

Kristian Woolf revealed in his press conference this week that he was confident both Percival and Mata'utia would play this week despite concerns about their fitness. 

Saints will be without star front rower Alex Walmsley after scans this week revealed he would miss the remainder of the season and the upcoming World Cup. Will Hopoate also misses out through injury and Dan Norman is also unavailable after scans revealed he fractured his cheekbone against Toulouse in Round 27.

The big news for Salford this week is Man of Steel finalist Brodie Croft's omission from their 21-man squad.

The Red Devils half-back failed his head injury assessment during last weeks win at Huddersfield and must subsequently sit out of the Play-Off Semi-Final due to the return to play protocols. 

Chris Atkin will be expected to deputise in the stand-off role during Croft's absence as Salford look to win away at St Helens for the first time in over 42 years.

St Helens: Jack Welsby, Tommy Makinson, Mark Percival, Jonny Lomax, James Roby, Matty Lees, Sione Mata'utia, Joe Batchelor, Morgan Knowles, Joey Lussick, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Curtis Sironen, Agnatius Paasi, Jake Wingfield, James Bell, Ben Davies, Konrad Hurrell, Sam Royle, Jon Bennison, Taylor Pemberton.

Salford Red Devils: Ryan Brierley, Ken Sio, Kallum Watkins, Tim Lafai, Joe Burgess, Marc Sneyd, Sitaleki Akauola, Andy Ackers, Shane Wright, Elijah Taylor, King Vuniyayawa, Ryan Lannon, Chris Atkin, Jack Ormondroyd, Rhys Williams, Sam Luckley, Amir Bourouh, Deon Cross, Alex Gerrard, Tyler Dupree.

Super Jack 🦸??♂??

The youngster has had an outstanding season for Saints and is one of three nominees for the 2022 Man of Steel Award 🙌 pic.twitter.com/eK1nQvO0sL
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 15, 2022

Prediction

Salford have once again shown that their inclusion in the Play-Offs is no fluke. After effortlessly cruising past Huddersfield in the Eliminator last week, the Red Devils now face a trip to the Champions with a chance to make their second Grand Final in four years. 

But the Champions are on the verge of history. No side in Super League history has won four consecutive Grand Finals. There's plenty of sub-plots within St Helens charge as well - most notably, Kristian Woolf's end of season exit. The Saints squad will be desperate to send their coach out as a Super League Champion and make history before he departs.

The neutrals will be hoping to see Salford's fairy tale season continue but St Helens are Play-Off experts.

Saints by 2

Last 10 meetings

Salford 44, St Helens 12 (SLR21, 31/7/22)
St Helens 14, Salford 10 (SLR11, 29/4/22)
Salford 26, St Helens 14 (SLR25, 17/9/21)
St Helens 28, Salford 0 (SLR6, 17/5/21)
St Helens 29, Salford 6 (SLR1, 26/3/21)
Salford 12, St Helens 10 (SLR18, 26/10/20)
St Helens 48, Salford 8 (SLR1, 31/1/20)
Salford 6, St Helens 23 (SLGF, 12/10/19)
St Helens 32, Salford 30 (SLR15, 17/5/19)
Salford 4, St Helens 26 (SLR4, 28/2/19)