SL preview: Wigan v Leeds (Fri)
Familiar foes Wigan and Leeds will repeat last year’s qualifying semi-final match-up tonight, for the chance to face Warrington in next week’s Grand Final.
The Warriors are still without captain Sean O’Loughlin due to injury, and Chris Tuson also misses out in what would have been his final home appearance ahead of his move to Wakefield.
Head coach Shaun Wane has made two changes from his last squad, with Darrell Goulding and Sam Powell replacing Andy Powell and James Greenwood.
Play-off specialists the Rhinos, who put an end to Wigan’s 2012 hopes with a 13-12 win, are unchanged from their gruelling victory over St Helens last Friday.
Both Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Brett Delaney are still doubts however, as head coach Brian McDermott explained:
“At this stage there is some doubt over Brett and Jamie but our medical staff are working on them constantly and, given the challenges we have overcome already this season, you never want to rule anyone out until the last possible moment, especially players of the calibre of Brett and Jamie.”
Wigan 19-man squad: Charnley, Crosby, Dudson, Farrell, Flower, Gelling, Goulding, Green, Hansen, Hughes, McIlorum, Mossop, S. Powell, Richards, Smith, Taylor, Thornley, L. Tomkins, S. Tomkins.
Leeds 19-man squad: Hardaker, Jones-Bishop, Watkins, Moon, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Ablett, Sinfield, Delaney, Bailey, Kirke, Clarkson, Achurch, Singleton, Sutcliffe.
Last 10 meetings:
Wigan 6, Leeds 20 (SLR27, 5/9/13)
Leeds 16, Wigan 20 (SLR16, 26/5/13)
(at Etihad Stadium, Manchester)
Leeds 18, Wigan 14 (SLR7, 15/3/13)
Wigan 12, Leeds 13 (SLQSF, 28/9/12)
Leeds 39, Wigan 28 (CCSF, 14/7/12)
(at Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield)
Leeds 8, Wigan 50 (SLR16, 1/6/12)
Wigan 20, Leeds 6 (SLR2, 11/2/12)
Leeds 18, Wigan 28 (Challenge Cup Final, 27/8/11)
(at Wembley Stadium)
Wigan 26, Leeds 24 (SLR19, 1/7/11)
Leeds 22, Wigan 22 (SLR8, 1/4/11)
Previous play-off meetings:
Wigan 12, Leeds 13 (SLQSF, 28/9/12)
Leeds 6, Wigan 26 (SLQSF, 25/9/10)
Wigan 26, Leeds 27 (SLQPO, 12/9/10)
Leeds 18, Wigan 14 (SLFE, 26/9/08)
Leeds 36, Wigan 6 (SLFE, 5/10/07)
Leeds 40, Wigan 12 (SLFE, 8/10/04)
Leeds 22, Wigan 23 (SLFE, 10/10/03)
Wigan 41, Leeds 18 (SLESF, 4/10/02)
Leeds 4, Wigan 10 (SLGF, 24/10/98)
(at Old Trafford, Manchester)
Wigan 17, Leeds 4 (SLQSF, 11/10/98)
Super League summary:
Wigan won 29 (includes win in 1998 Grand Final and wins in 1998, 2002, 2003 and 2010 play-offs)
Leeds won 22 (includes wins in 2004, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2012 play-offs)
4 draws
Wigan highest score: 68-14 (H, 1996) (also widest margin)
Leeds highest score: 70-0 (H, 2005) (also widest margin)