If we end up with a left edge of Wrench/Lindop, King and Fitzgibbon, i can see flashbacks of the Briers to Monoghan kicking being very effective. Nice tall side that








Which means we'll grubber to the right every time, because.........Warrington

Well maybe I’m blindly optimistic, but we’re in this. We’ve got a shot, if we can summon that effort and energy of the Leigh game, but with a bit more class and composure given the excellent team in front of us, we can do it. 


As always for me, a nod to Tony Smith. We were 9th in the league when we got to the cup final under him and that was up there with the best days of my life. Now, there are people on about sacking the coach because we’re in our second cup final in a row and in a lowly league position. Smith made us this expectant beast, a good day out would have been enough without him. 


Team wise, it’s pretty simple for me. Lindrop plays on the wing, Holroyd back row, bench spots are Crowther and Ratch. I can’t wait to get down there!

All the best on Saturday, I'm going to be a Wire fan for the day. You might not be favourites, but owt can happen in finals.  

I think you stick with Tai and Thewlis because they have played together lots and that counts for a lot in defensive rigidity.


I don't really mind between Wood and Crowther; I think Wood could impact the game more but Crowther gets through a fair bit of work.


I am feeling fairly optimistic we can give them a game but it does come down to whether Williams, King and Fitzgibbon are properly properly fit.

We were expectant before Smith, just never delivered. Smith had to pick up the pieces following Lowes and did an amazing job in a short time. 

I believe King has been ruled out with injury. 

I`m not a big fan of Toby King, BUT we need his defensive capabilities to keep Hiku under control, so it`s very bad news for our left side defence if he misses tomorrow`s game.

Hopefully what i have been told is wrong. Not a huge fan myself of king but is experience will be an asset on the day  

He will definitely have both on the bench I can guarantee it. Stef and Crowther are Burgess' apple of his eye, I'm told they cannot do much wrong. Gutted for Wood, best player on the pitch last week and deserves to be on the bench.

Suppose every coach has their blind spots but Burgess’ Crowther love annoys me. Very uninspiring bench with those two on it. Ratchford I can live with. Harrison can cover second row if anything (inevitably) happens to Fitzgibbon. 

Looking forward to the game. I have a feeling Wire are going to surprise a few with their performance and will push HKR extremely close. I think KR might just pinch it but Wire have plenty of guys with experience of big occasions, plenty of attacking quality and a coach, who I think will have used his side being written off to his advantage this week. Week to week, the level HKR are playing at is well in advance of Wire (and any other team) but in a one off occasion, I don't look at the sides and think it's a total miss match. The Wire forwards are going to need to be at their very best but if they can get in to the battle, there is enough quality to trouble KR. If he's fit enough, I can't help but think Williams is due a huge game in a final. 

According to Matt Turner on FB, Sam has confirmed that both Steph and Crowther will start on the bench, with the rest of the team "as expected".


To stand any chance tomorrow we have to do well in the forwards, and this leaves us light. I'd have gone with Wood and either Steph or Crowther, but not both...............