World Club Series - Wigan vs Brisbane

[Big Pete]

Wigan Warriors vs Brisbane Broncos
DW Stadium, Sunday February 21 2016
Kick Off 6:00am (Queensland Time)

Wigan Warriors
14. John Bateman 26. Greg Burke 2. Josh Charnley 15. Tony Clubb 12. Liam Farrell 10. Ben Flower 3. Anthony Gelling 20. Oliver Gildart 25. Willie Isa 5. Dominic Manfredi 9. Michael McIlorum 13. Sean O'Loughlin 16. Sam Powell 4. Dan Sarginson 7. Matty Smith 21. Ryan Sutton 19. Taulima Tautai 22. Lewis Tierney 6. George Williams



Brisbane Broncos
1. Darius Boyd 2. Greg Eden 3. Jordan Kahu 4. James Roberts 5. Corey Oates 6. Anthony Milford 7. Kodi Nikorima 8. Sam Thaiday 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Adam Blair 11. Alex Glenn 12. Matt Gillett 13. Corey Parker
Interchange: 14. Jarrod Wallace 15. Josh McGuire 16. Jo Ofanhengaue 17. Travis Waddell 18. Herman Essese 19. Tom Opacic


​

 

[Big Pete]

Expected Wigan Warriors Line-Up
22. Lewis Tierney
2. Josh Charnley
3. Anthony Gelling
4. Dan Sarginson
5. Dominic Manfriedi
6. George Williams
7. Matty Smith
13. Sean O'Laughlin (c)
9. Michael McIlorum
10. Ben Flower
25. Will Isa
12. Liam Farrell
14. John Bateman

Interchange
15. Tony Clubb
16. Ryan Powell
19. Taulima Tautai
21. Ryan Sutton

 

[Big Pete]

Out of the three English sides, Wigan are by far the most in-form.

Not the most polished side by any means, Wigan look to beat sides physically using ruck tactics that aren't too dissimilar to Canterbury or Manly. They'll then try to run through you with guys like Gelling, Tautai and Flower creating space for Bateman who is very agile around the ruck and has a habit of poking his nose through if teams are on the back-foot.

If the Broncos can withstand the pressure of the Warriors defence, get through their sets, I believe they can really hurt the Warriors on the fringe of the ruck. Either side of the play-the ball looks vulnerable, so the captain should have a field day if the Broncos go onto win.

Another key to the Broncos success will be applying pressure to the kicker. Wigan struggle to score points and often rely on Matty Smith's kicking game. If the Broncos can rush him, the Warriors will likely struggle for a Plan B and will turn over possession cheaply.

A quick recap on the Warriors two games so far.

- Their opening game saw them beat a horrible Catalans side 12-6. It was 10-0 after 18 minutes and despite having a number of opportunities to put the game to bed, the Warriors shut up shop in one of the most boring games of football you'll ever see.

- Then in Huddersfield, they trailed 13-12 against an understrength Giants side until a late try to winger Josh Charnley got the Warriors home 18-13. The Giants had been the better side for the majority of the game, but a couple of lapses proved all the difference.

 

[Unbreakable]

Wake up sleepy heads.

 

[austin71]

Game day! Woohoo!!!

 

[Brett]

Who's doing a Maccas run?? :takdir:

 

[Unbreakable]

Who's doing a Maccas run?? :takdir:

Macca doesn't run unfortunately, he's decent defensively though.

 

[Rally Towel]

Giddy up.

 

[Unbreakable]

Is there a slight static sound for anyone on gem? Not happening on any other channel for me.. Was happening yesterday as well

 

[Rally Towel]

Is there a slight static sound for anyone on gem? Not happening on any other channel for me.. Was happening yesterday as well

Negative. Maybe it's all in your head?

First time we're wearing the new away jersey into battle. And doesn't it look magnificent!

 

[Brett]

Maccas run done. Let's do it!

 

[Bucking Beads]

Freddie has bloodshot eyes. I don't think he's been to bed.

 

[broncos4life]

Game on lads. Let's get this shit done!

 

[Cult]

3am Thailand time. Had a few drinks, yet to sleep. Excited to hear these commentators talk about Wigan for 80 minutes. Let's go Broncos!

 

[Unbreakable]

McGuire starting over Thaiday.

 

[Big Pete]

Gildart comes in for Charnley

Expected Wigan Warriors Line-Up
22. Lewis Tierney
20. Oliver Gildart
3. Anthony Gelling
4. Dan Sarginson
5. Dominic Manfriedi
6. George Williams
7. Matty Smith
13. Sean O'Laughlin (c)
9. Michael McIlorum
10. Ben Flower
25. Will Isa
12. Liam Farrell
14. John Bateman

Interchange
15. Tony Clubb
16. Ryan Powell
19. Taulima Tautai
21. Ryan Sutton

 

[ningnangnong]

Willie Isa! There's a name from the past.

 

[Waynesaurus]

No injuries please......