06 October 2023 , 15:57
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I reckon Wigan and Hull KR will go to Golden Point for a third time this season - but don’t ask me who will win.
I do believe they are going to serve up yet another classic in their Betfred Super League semi-final. They are very similarly matched: both place an emphasis on defending well and are mentally tougher and fitter than many other sides in the competition but with some flair, skill and game-breakers mixed in, too. It should be enthralling.
The pluses for KR are they’ve been here before - they’ve beaten Wigan twice this season including once in extra-time in the Challenge Cup semi-final - and almost have a fully fit squad which is unusual at this time of year. And they have momentum.
I’ve no idea why Willie Peters is not on the Super League Coach of the Year shortlist: in his first year as a head coach he’s reached Wembley, finished fourth and is now 80 minutes away from a Grand Final.
League Leaders Wigan were the most focused team going into the play-offs. They used that semi loss against KR as motivation and showed they want to finish with the Grand Final trophy
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The club has it in its DNA being successful around this time of year, they know the type of rugby which is required - building pressure and putting pressure on opponents until they break. But what I would say about Wigan, which is maybe their slight Achilles heel, is they’ve had a few blips where you’ve thought they’d win a game and then been left asking: How have they lost that?
Hull KR's Brad Schneider scores the winning drop goal in the Challenge Cup semi-final Golden Point extra-time victory over Wigan (Getty Images)They have to turn up with their best game today and make sure they can capitalise on the magic of players like Bevan French and Jai Field. But I genuinely can’t call who will come out on top to reach Old Trafford.
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