Old friends will be on opposing benches at this weekend’s Coral Rugby League Challenge Cup Final at Wembley.
Steve Price and Justin Holbrook, respective coaches of Warrington Wolves and St Helens, were team-mates in schoolboy rugby in Sydney. Both played as half-backs in the NRL but Price was forced to retire early following serious injury. Holbrook enjoyed a longer playing career – featuring for Newcastle Knights, Penrith Panthers and Sydney Roosters at the highest level – and they will be likely sharing a drink or two on Saturday evening, whatever the result.
Warrington Wolves Form and Team News – Injuries continue to dog the Wolves
Warrington’s fifth straight defeat in the league at Wigan last week was a huge blow to their Grand Final hopes and hardly the ideal preparation for this Saturday’s Challenge Cup Final.
Injury doubts remain over the influential Blake Austin and Jack Hughes while Stefan Ratchford, Jason Clark and Bryson Goodwin could also face late fitness tests. Loanee Matt Smith is not eligible so Price will have a selection dilemma as he attempts to end his team’s dismal run since they won at London Broncos early last month. A particular worry for the coaching staff will be the fact that they’ve conceded 20 points or more in each of those recent defeats, which have allowed the pack to close.
Warrington have won the Challenge Cup on eight occasions but not since winning for a third time in four years in 2012. However, they have been beaten finalists twice in the last three years.
St Helens Form and Team News
Saints trounced Wakefield Trinity in the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup and had the plum draw in the semi-finals against Championship side Halifax. They’ve won their last three in Super League, averaging more than 30 points a game, and have looked a class above over the season as a whole having already wrapped up the Leader’s Shield. No surprise that they are arriving at Wembley as hot favourites.
St Helens will almost certainly be without prop Matty Lees at Wembley but will welcome full-back Lachlan Coote and prop Alex Walmsley.
The Saints had a golden period in the Challenge Cup in the Noughties, winning five times. But they’ve not won the competition, or even figured in the final, since 2008.
Warrington Wolves v St Helens Head-to-Heads
This will be the first-ever meeting of the two teams in the Challenge Cup Final. St Helens have won six of their last seven fixtures against the Wolves, including all three this year. Warrington have not broken the 20-point barrier in any of those seven matches.
Warrington Wolves v St Helens Current Match Odds
Warrington 13/5, Draw 25/1, St Helens 2/5 (Odds correct at 3.45pm August 21)
Warrington Wolves v St Helens Predictions – Saints impossible to oppose
This is not Super League but St Helens have comfortably had the better of Warrington Wolves so far this season and the latter’s injury problems are well documented. If Saints are in the mood, this could be a bit of an anti-climax between the two teams who, on paper, are the best in the northern hemisphere. St Helens look good value at 13pts or more in the Winning Margins at 6/4 with Bet365.
Saints’ Tommy Makinson looks just the type to star on the big stage and will enjoy Wembley’s wide-open spaces so looks overpriced at 20/1 to be named Man Of The Match.
