Wigan Warriors Face Spine Shuffle Ahead of Magic Weekend Showdown with Rivals St Helens
(05 May 2023 – Rugby League World)
Wigan Warriors will have to reshuffle their key positions as they prepare to face fierce rivals St Helens at the upcoming Magic Weekend event. With a string of injuries and suspensions, coach Matt Peet is facing a selection headache ahead of the highly anticipated Pennine derby clash at Elland Road on Saturday.
The Warriors have enjoyed a relatively healthy season up until the last six weeks, but the recent absences of star duo Jai Field and Bevan French due to hamstring injuries, as well as the season-ending ACL injury to starting hooker Brad O’Neill, have left Peet with limited options in the spine. Adding to their woes, key halfback Harry Smith has been referred to an RFL tribunal following a red card and Grade E striking offence in their last match against Leeds.
“With Smith, French and O’Neill all unavailable this weekend, Jai Field is set to remain at fullback, his natural position.”
The halfback partnership is where Peet has the most to ponder, with Ryan Hampshire and youngster Zach Eckersley potential options to line up alongside Adam Keighran, who can also slot into the halves. Kruise Leeming is expected to start at hooker, with Tom Forber providing cover from the bench.
Peet may even consider the left-field option of shifting the in-form Field back into the halves, with Eckersley taking over at fullback, but the coach is likely to prefer keeping the Australian speedster in his more familiar role at the back. Regardless of the final selections, the Warriors will need to dig deep to overcome the challenge of the reigning champions, St Helens, in what promises to be a fierce rugby league encounter at Magic Weekend.
đź”— Source
