Shaun Wane calls on Wigan Warriors to look the part ahead of play-offs
The Warriors need to win one of their remaining two matches – they also host Hull FC next Friday – to secure second spot, which is rewarded with a home semi-final.
Huddersfield, by contrast, are merely playing for pride and Wane wants their contrasting motivations to come to the fore in front of the Sky Sports cameras.
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Hide AdHe said: “I want us to look like a team heading to the semi-finals. That’s the main thing for me.
“We’ve been there and not done well in the past, but I want a performance, I want our standard of performance – if we do that we’ll more than likely get the win.
“We’re off to the semis and they’re not, and I want it to look that way, I want us to look like we’ve got the energy.
“I don’t mean that in a detrimental way, it’s a fact.
“They’re playing for a bit of pride, they have proud players and they can play no question. But the fact is we’ve got a lot to play for.”
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Hide AdWigan, who lost 20-12 at Huddersfield in July, have won their last six matches and Wane says they must win the “battle of field position” if they are to stretch that run to seven.
“They’re a strong team, I expect a physical game that may go down to the last quarter again,” he said.
“The conditions may not lend itself to a free-flowing game, so it’s how well we manage that.
“And when you’re playing against Danny Brough it’s very hard to go into a field position battle with him.
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Hide Ad“It’s great we’re on a roll, the team spirit is fantastic, there is a lot of desire in the room.”
Joe Greenwood, available after serving a one-match ban, will replace Willie Isa, whose season has been cut short by a broken collarbone.
And Josh Woods is on stand-by to play his first match in the Super-8s as Thomas Leuluai nurses a groin pull, which is threatening to delay his milestone 250th appearance for the club.
Ben Flower (back) and Sean O’Loughlin (calf) are still not fit.
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Hide AdMeanwhile, Ryan Hinchcliffe will play his last home game for Huddersfield tonight.
Hinchcliffe announced his intentions to hang up his boots at the start of the month.
The Australian joined the Giants in June 2015 from Melbourne Storm.
The Giants could also hand out a debut to 19-year-old Jon Luke Kirby who signed a two-year deal in April.