WIGAN WARRIORS | MATCH PREVIEW | ROUND 3

Another test on the cards for Ian Watson's Giants, as we face newly crowned World Champions Wigan Warriors at the DW Stadium on Friday evening.

THE STORY SO FAR 📖

After a disappointing 0-28 defeat at the hands of St Helens, The Giants know that improvement is needed, and quickly. After all, the Giants are capable of battling with the big teams after an opening day victory over last seasons Challenge Cup Winners Leigh Leopards on their own turf.

Esan Marsters, Adz Milner and Elliot Wallis the try scorers on that particular day, with plenty of effort and determination vs the Saints, but against the top teams, small margins are usually what decide games and heading into half-time 0-6 down, you potentially see a battle within the second half, but as Sione Mata'utia powered his way over with seconds remaining, this was a killer blow for the Giants after a half that they had put so much into, but couldn't find the breakthrough.

Now we look to the DW Stadium, where after securing the World Club Challenge vs Penrith Panthers, the home team have kindly lowered all admission ticket prices to £5 to celebrate this achievement, we need as many Giants supporters backing the team as we look to return to winning ways.

THE OPPOSITION 🍒

Wigan Warriors, one of the champion teams of recent times in the Betfred Super League, current Grand Final Winners, current League Leaders Shield winners are just some of their recent accomplishments, the Giants will be looking to buck the trend and travel to the DW Stadium and win, against Matty Peet's Warriors who will be looking to continue their impressive early season form, which has them as favourites to secure another Grand Final title in 2024.

Another off-season recruitment drive for the Warriors saw the arrivals of forwards Luke Thompson, Sam Walters and Tiaki Chan to name three, all highly rated stars who have previously impressed in Super League, Thompson in-particular for Saints.

Former Giant Kruise Leeming also joined Wigan from Gold Coast, however the hooker sustained an injury vs Penrith after scoring a try and looks a doubt for Friday evenings encounter.

Here, is the 'Opta Stats Pack' for this weeks matchup. 📈

• ●  Wigan Warriors have won eight of their last nine Super League matches against Huddersfield Giants (L1), including each of their two meetings in the 2023 season, while they’ve not lost to the Giants at DW Stadium since March 2019.
• ●  Wigan Warriors have won their last 12 Super League matches, their longest ever winning run in the competition; the last team to win more consecutive Super League matches was St Helens, who won 13 on the bounce in 2008.
• ●  Huddersfield Giants have won four of their last six Super League away games, including their last two in a row; the last time they won more consecutive away games was a run of three wins from April to June 2022.
• ●  Wigan Warriors come into this match on the back of a 16-12 victory over Penrith Panthers in the World Club Challenge, the fifth time they have won the title – the joint most of any team, alongside the Sydney Roosters.
• ●  Hudderfield Giants are one of just two teams to have made 600+ tackles in the Super League this season (671, also London Broncos – 737), while only Hull KR (93%) boast a better tackle success rate than the Giants (92%); individually, only two players have made more tackles than Leroy Cudjoe (82, Dean Parata – 111, Jordan Lane – 92)

WHO TO WATCH 👀

• Jai Field - The electric full-back is one of Super League's top players, crossing for 43 tries in 61 appearances since joining the Cherry and Whites in 2021, he also pulled off a great try-saving tackle in their WCC win.
• Bevan French – Another one of their top performers over the last few seasons and a key to their success, Bevan can play anywhere along the backline, but has found his home at 6, partnering Harry Smith.
• Liam Marshall – One of Super League's top try scorers in 2023 has showed no signs of slowing down, with a double vs Castleford Tigers on the opening game of the Warriors campaign.

TICKETING INFORMATION 🎟️

As a kind gesture from Wigan Warriors, they have reduced all ticket prices to £5 to celebrate their incredible achievement of winning the World Club Challenge, this also includes Giants fans, where you can purchase here.

Tickets are on-sale online, over the phone and from the Giants Ticket Office at the John Smith's Stadium which is open 9am-4pm Monday-Friday.

There will also be a coach to take supporters to our first away game, departing from the stadium at 4:45pm then at 5:00pm from Bays A,B or C at the Bus Station, priced at £17.50.

SQUAD NEWS 💪

Ian Watson has named his 21-Man Squad for this weekends game, making minimal changes to the one that was named for our previous game, with the welcome return of Jake Connor, who has completed his return to play protocol after a failed HIA vs Leigh Leopards.

IAN WATSON & OLLY WILSON PREVIEW 🗣️

Head Coach Ian Watson and Forward Olly Wilson spoke to the media ahead of our game on Friday, with both covering a number of topics, which GiantsTV members can view below.

WATCH HERE!

WHAT KIT WILL WE WEAR AT THE DW? 🔵

We will once again wear our 2024 Away Shirt on our travels to Wigan, with the kit proving extremely popular among Giants supporters, click here to browse our 2024 range.

HOW CAN I FOLLOW THE GAME 👇

Giants club social media accounts will also keep supporters updated, with team news, picture and video content during the build up and then match updates throughout the game, the main hub for this is X (Formerly Twitter). Follow us on: Twitter |Facebook | Instagram

Highlights will be available on our YouTube channel 24 Hours after the game, alongside a Full-Match replay on GiantsTV for subscribers to enjoy.

Sky Sports subscribers can watch it live on Sky Sports Arena, as can SuperLeague+ subscribers – Members can save £30 on an annual SuperLeague+ pass, sign up here.