It's worst case scenario to play Spencer or Greenwood but if Tuson isn't right I'd have one on the bench with Hughes rather then putting Logan Tomkins or Sam Powell on there.

Flower at 13, Dudson starting with Mossop and Crosby along with Taylor on the bench. If Tuson is fit I'd have him and Hughes on the bench, if not then replace him with Spencer. The Leigh fans have raved all year about him and he's battle hardened.

I really wouldn't like our odds if it kicked off, Peacock, Delaney, Bailey and Ablett love those situations. Plus it leaves us open to suspensions in the grand final. Don't forget our player most likely to get involved is McIlorum. If he gets banned we probably go S.Powell at 7 and Smith at 9 with L.Tomkins off the bench, not a great spine for a grand final

Bailey only fights with backs and Ablett is all talk. He, like Bailey causes situations then backs away behind real hard men like Peacock. He's a world class wind up merchant.

I hope we're smart enough to not get involved in all that but if we do we'll go ok.

Our kicking game needs to be spot on because theirs will be.

The one thing Saints didn't do play field position no need to try and score every set just build the pressure and the rewards will come just like the Hudd game

Borrow is their danger man when he runs along the line someone needs shot the little **** early and give him something to think about

When we played Leeds a few weeks ago, out of Dummy half Sinfield would run 2 yards to the blind side, dragging the markers away and pop an inside pass to an oncoming forward who would make valuable ground - 'cause of this we were on the back foot.

Need to stop these runs and give away the easy yards.

Also no 'intercept' passes in the Leeds 20 when we are attacking - thats how they got the Try last year and in the recent match the opening try.

Wigan will try to blow leeds open early and get a couple of scores in the first 20 minutes. Unless one team completly collapses the game will likely evolve into a very tight arm wrestle, so if wigan post 1 or 2 early scores they will be able to grind it out and leeds will find it difficult to engineer a lead in the game.

First 20 minutes are vital. If leeds took an early lead, like last year then it's well and truly game on.

I'm afraid it will likely be a very tense nerve wracking game. Heart says leeds but with tomkins finnaly announcing he's leaving, home advantage, the week off my head edges towards wigan grinding out a close win.

I reckon a big part of why Burrow is so effective is that players will try to run out and smash him. He generally runs across the line when the defence is on the back foot anyway, but even if not, if a big forward makes a run for him on his own he's just going to step him, then he's got a big gap in the defensive line to play with. IMO the way to deal with Burrow is to keep your structure, if we move up as a fairly tight line he won't have a gap to exploit. It's not as eye catching as trying to smash him of course but I think it's more effective. From memory I can't remember him causing us too much trouble in recent years. It's usually their forwards dominating and Sinfield kicking us to death

Leeds will use/try every trick in the book. Sinfield in particular.

If the forwards play like they did against Hudds, then we will win easily.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooowwwwwwwww Betty

We have a thread going for "Team for the Semi" and one for Semi Final Predictions", but how do Wigan Fans think the team should adapt.
All season the discussion has come up about Wigan having no plan B and have been found out in the second half of the season when the tactic of getting the ball to Sam out wide was sussed out.

One of the big dangers I can see on Friday is Rob Burrow, at acting halfback he runs across the line so quick our halfbacks have no chance of getting to him, never mind the forwards.

This is when Wigan have to show a bit of flexibility, remembering the kicking game that Sinfield has.

Wigan have to mix it up a bit when Leeds have the ball confusing them a bit, Sam must appear at halfback when Burrows sets off on one of his runs (at least he has the pace to go with him), with Pat dropping back for the Sinfield kicks.

They have to show some flexibility.

I fully agree i should have put in my post keep our line

Frank would probably knock on less going off Toms spells in the first team so far! Ha.

The Leigh fans are made up with him but he's never quite grasped the chance here.

No doubt Leeds will use their umbrella defence to force us to play down the middle and nullify our Sam-round-the-back play. I'd love for us to put in a grubber or chip in behind their second rower/ for Sam early doors. Could create some hesitancy later on in the match.

Educating yorkshire ....
Sky sports 1 8pm tomorrow

Its Playoff Semi Final and you're watching Huddersfield vs Blackpool in the kick ball? Very odd person.

Fail.

100% correct. If the wind up is going to work he has to back off once punched, otherwise he'd get sent off with the bloke who's punched him. That is the whole point of the wind up!

I hoping that none of my Wire friends read this post but here goes..............

Good Luck to you Guys tonight........... [uTonight Only Though[/u

A Warrington Vs Wigan Grand Final would be fantastic.

It’s easy to say but no easy to get right, get the forwards to play like they did against Hudds, maintain the intensity and speed at the play of the ball for the full eighty, try to zero on the penalties (main thing that did for Hudds last night) and make Sinfield work his socks off for the whole match, then Bobs your aunties husband.

Nice dry day by the looks of it so I'm expecting few errors and an absolute classic.

Too late ... seen it



As Pie has said, it's one thing knowing how to beat the opposition - it's another matter having the players, intensity, and firepower to do it at playoff time. Both sides on paper have got 1 & 3 ..... we'll see tonight who's got 2 !

Tempted to head over to watch this relax and enjoy seeing who we are going to play.

Should be good, Wigan by 12 or Leeds by 2 I reckon.

1) Avoid Brain Farts and indiscipline which would give Leeds easy upfield yardage.
2) Spot Sinfield and Burrow, cutting down their kicking game.
3) Tackle tough, but legal, and clamp the ball.
4) Give the ball some air when the situation dictates.
5) Vary our kicking game... keep 'em guessing. Uncertainty promotes mistakes.
Simple!

This is a tough one to call. Last time we played, Leeds defence was very quick to move up which limited the ground made by our forwards and have our backs no platform to build. Green & Smith need to recognise if this is happening and be creative but only when the time is right. We can't afford to have less possession than Leeds.

Kicking will be key. We all know Sinfield will kick us to death so pressure on him is important but without sacrificing a solid and strong defensive line which would leave gaps for their very quick back line to exploit. I think this is a much tougher fixture than the Huddersfield game last time out and the tactics need to be different. I don't buy into the Leeds might tire theory. They're professional athletes who are capable of playing 2 games with this turn around.

If we can get some field position from an effective kicking game and have a better share of possession, we can win the game. It'll need a near perfect performance from the whole 17 on duty to pull this one off. MM to play 80 is essential for me. I'd love to get to a play off series without key players missing! I'd love lockers out there tonight!

I think the game will be won by the halves of either team. Heart says Wigan, head not sure! COME ON WIGAN!!!

Edited for accuracy..