The opening weekend of the Super League season continues on Saturday evening when the team beaten in the Grand Final and Challenge Cup Final, Warrington Wolves, host the perennial champions Leeds Rhinos in a tasty tussle.
Both these sides will believe they have what it takes to go all the way this season and we might get an early glimpse of how they will fare during the 80 minutes of this contest. Clearly the match won’t define the campaign but it would be a good match to win nevertheless.
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Warrington Wolves
It was a wonderful first campaign under Steve Price for the Warrington Wolves last term, with the only thing missing from it being a piece of silverware. To make both finals in the modern era is quite some effort but if there is a downside to that, it is that their big game struggles came to the fore again. In truth, they were pretty ordinary in both of those finals and you wonder if there is a mental block in getting over the line.
The one thing we did see from the Wolves last season was a much improved defence. I guess that was always going to happen with a coach from the NRL in charge, where teams are built from the back, but the impressive thing about it was that they didn’t lose much in attacking areas, albeit they were sometimes guilty of running out of ideas against the big teams.
Leeds Rhinos
It was a season to forget for the Leeds Rhinos last season. The last time they had one of those they came out and won the title the following year and that will be their aim once again. They are under a new coach this term, with Dave Furner taking over the reins and you would expect a side elite in defence but carrying plenty of nous in attacking areas too.
There has been a fairly big turnover in players at Headingley in the close season. I guess that was inevitable given the campaign that they had, but it will be interesting to see how well they gel, and if they can hit the ground running. I think they need to start the season well to banish the memories of 2018 if nothing else.
Team News
Warrington Wolves suffered a massive blow in the lead up to the season with the news that Kevin Brown ruptured his Achilles in training. He could miss the entire campaign as a result. Blake Austin will debut in his place while Jason Clarke is expected to make his Warrington bow here.
Leeds Rhinos will be without the departed Ryan Hall and Joel Moon for this match but they have some big name signings of their own in line for debuts. Konrad Hurrell, Trent Merrin and Tui Lolohea will get a first chance to impress the Headingley faithful.
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Betting
I can’t help but think that the injury to Kevin Brown is going to be significant here. It happened so close to the season beginning that there may not have been time for the Warrington Wolves to come up with a contingency plan and as such I like the Leeds Rhinos here, who surely have to improve this season.
I’m expecting a tough Leeds side here, one that is hard to break down and that has the right plays at the right times to get over the line. If there is a team that can win against the bigger sides in the competition it is very much the Rhinos. I still worry for Warrington in these big clashes. I get that Warrington are the favourites but 2/1 quotes on Leeds are insulting. I’ll have a dabble.
Tips
Back Leeds Rhinos to beat Warrington Wolves for a 3/10 stake at 3.00 with William Hill
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