Warrington Wolves take on Hull Kingston Rovers for spot in Super League play-off semi-finals

In the Super League play-offs, Warrington Wolves take on Hull KR at the Halliwell Jones Stadium with both sides knowing that victory will take them to within one step of reaching the pinnacle that is the Grand Final at Old Trafford two weeks time.

With Leeds Rhinos coming out on top against Wigan Warriors last night in their ‘eliminator game’, the Wolves and KR go into tonight’s meeting knowing exactly what is at stake, not only in terms of progression but who their next opponents will be providing they are successful tonight.

If Warrington are successful, they will face a trip to near-neighbours St Helens in the semi-finals with Leeds heading over to France to take on regular-season league leaders Catalans Dragons.

However, the Robins could set up a trip across the channel with a win tonight. If that happens, Leeds will make the trip to face the Saints.

While future success will be in the minds of those involved this evening, the main focus must be on progressing through into the semi-finals. There are plenty of tales to be had within the framework of tonight’s game alone.

Current KR boss, Tony Smith, heads back to his old club with a Hull outfit that has been the true underdog of this campaign. Having finished bottom of the league in 2020 when there was no relegation due to the withdrawal of Canadian side Toronto Wolfpack amidst the start of the Coronavirus pandemic, the turnaround in fortunes has been untold.

Warrington Head Coach Steve Price has dismissed any ‘extra’ determination from going up against his previous employers, but the 44-year-old has a driving factor of his own. Taking charge of the Wire in 2017 following Smith’s departure, this season represents the end of another era for the Cheshire club.

Price will leave the club after the conclusion of this campaign, which could be as soon as tonight should the Wolves stumble at the first play-off hurdle. Price, along with fellow departee Chris Hill, will certainly want to end their time with the club on a high.

Neither of these two clubs have ever won a Grand Final, and for Hull KR, they’re bidding to reach Old Trafford for the first time in their Super League history. As for Warrington, they know the famous ground all too well having appeared in no less than four end-of-season finales, losing out every single time so far.

Stories to be written, history to be made, this season isn’t over for either side, but it will be for one at the end of the night.

Squad News

For Wire, the trio of Daryl Clark, Toby King and Danny Walker all return from injury as they get their play-off campaign underway. The hosts will be without Mike Cooper, who serves his one-match suspension following a red card picked up in last week’s win at former club Castleford Tigers.

Meanwhile, KR see Matt Parcell drop out of the squad after the Australian hooker suffered a pectoral injury in the defeat to his own former side Leeds Rhinos last week. Though not confirmed, Parcell ran off the pitch with the injury having made a tackle at Headingley, and boss Smith believed it to be a season-ending one in his post-match press conference.

On the positive side for Rovers, they do get George Lawler back ahead of the play-offs. Kept out with a dislocated thumb since late August, forward Lawler will leave the club at the end of the season but will be a welcome boost to the side as he tries to go out on a high.

Warrington Wolves’ 21-man squad: Sitaleki Akauola, Matty Ashton, Blake Austin, Josh Charnley, Daryl Clark, Jason Clark, Ben Currie, Chris Hill, Jack Hughes, Toby King, Tom Lineham, Ellis Longstaff, Jake Mamo, Robbie Mulhern, Joe Philbin, Stefan Ratchford, Josh Thewlis, Danny Walker, Gareth Widdop, George Williams, Connor Wrench 

Hull Kingston Rovers’ 21-man squad: Ben Crooks, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Jordan Abdull, Albert Vete, Korbin Sims, Brad Takairangi, Kane Linnett, Jez Litten, George Lawler, George King, Matty Storton, Will Dagger, Mikey Lewis, Joe Keyes, Rowan Milnes, Will Maher, Luis Johnson, Muizz Mustapha, Will Tate, Tom Whur, Jimmy Keinhorst

Head-to-Head

While there have been many battles between Warrington and KR over the years, there are few of significance in relation to this play-off game and that’s because of how different a side the Robins are this time around.

There have been few Rovers sides, especially in more recent times, who have enjoyed such a successful season and probably even fewer that would feel confident in going to take on Warrington away from home in a winner takes all affair.

With that being said, Wire are still strong favourites tonight and may take some more inspiration from their meeting with KR earlier this season. Back in May, before fans were able to return to Super League matches, the Wolves dismantled the Robins with a second half masterclass.

Trailing 18-12 at the break, Warrington scored seven tries after the restart and ran out comfortable 50-26 winners.

The Robins did come out on top 16-14 at home against Warrington in 2019 but for their last success at the Halliwell Jones, you have to go back to April 2014. KR claimed a 25-12 victory with Michael Weyman scoring two tries to help them on their way to the win.

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