If the old maxim about sequels rings true we shouldn’t expect too much when Saints cross paths again this Thursday night (October 15, kick-off 7.45pm).
Sequels are never as good. Think Dumb And Dumber To, The Fly II and this winter’s much anticipated Lockdown II in which the UK’s varied array of Eton-educated, ghoulish half-wits take the nation hostage but with a promise not to ruin Christmas too much. If it sounds naff it’s because it’s probably more of a remake than a sequel. It is inconceivable that the ending will be any different.
Let’s be honest the first one - played out just six days ago - wasn’t a classic. Saints edged home 20-16 having gone 12-0 behind during a truly woeful first act. Kristian Woolf’s side got it together just in time to take the win that keeps them at the top of the Super League’s new win percentage table. With others faltering amid the Covid chaos and the short turnaround in fixtures that it demands another win here would go a long way to sealing a third straight League Leaders Shield.
Woolf has added a new name to the cast for this one. In the only change to the 21-man squad on duty last week 19 year-old loose forward Jake Wingfield is included in the first team squad for the first time. He replaces James Graham who was ruled out of action late last week when a positive Covid test within the family left him having to isolate. This game comes too quickly for him but presents Wingfield with a valuable opportunity to be around the first team in the run up to a game whether he makes his debut or not.
With Graham out it was Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook who started at loose forward in the first encounter with Chris Chester’s side. Morgan Knowles moved to the second row while Zeb Taia had to settle for a place on bench. It didn’t go terribly well for half an hour so Woolf needs to decide whether to repeat that or else restore Knowles to the 13 role in which he has seen great success over the last two seasons. That would likely mean a start for Taia alongside James Bentley in the second row behind a front row of Alex Walmsley, James Roby and Matty Lees. Kyle Amor will be in that front row rotation too, as will McCarthy-Scarsbrook if he does not start. After Roby went 80 minutes last week and Jack Welsby was an unused sub Woolf might also want to think about bringing Aaron Smith back into the match day 17.
Welsby’s inability to get into the side is down largely to the return of Tommy Makinson. The 29 year-old played his first game after a five-match suspension last time out and is a certain starter when available. The rest of the back line is also pretty settled with Josh Simm covering for the injured Mark Percival, Kevin Naiqama and Regan Grace completing the three-quarter line and Lachlan Coote at fullback.
The halves is an area where many including this observer see scope for change but it remains unlikely that Woolf will break up the partnership of Jonny Lomax and Theo Fages with the still untried Lewis Dodd. Others hoping to get the call into the 17 are Dom Peyroux and Joe Batchelor.
Wakefield are still without the influential halfback pair of Jacob Miller and Tony Gigot as well as longer term injury victim Danny Brough. Also missing is powerful centre Bill Tupou while up front Tinirau Arona misses out too.
Still,Trinity showed last week that they have the quality and the spirit to test Saints despite those key absences. Ryan Hampshire was outstanding in the halves last week and there is pace in the back line with Tom Johnstone and Reece Lyne.
Kelepi Tanginoa has really impressed in the pack which also features the excellent, GPS vest-fearing colossus that is David Fifita. Joe Westerman showed several classy touches in the first encounter while Matty Ashurst will again be keen to prove his worth to the club which allowed him to leave in 2011. Josh Wood managed 55 tackles last time, only bettered by Roby’s tally of 60. Expect Wood to be busy again as Wakefield look for a third win of the campaign. That would bring them level with fellow strugglers Hull KR in the fight to avoid wooden spoon ignomy.
It would be surprising if this one wins any awards but that doesn’t necessarily mean it will lack drama. The first instalment had its share of plot twists and almost had a shock ending. Yet having had a scare in the original I expect things to be a little more straightforward for Saints in this not so long awaited second episode. Saints by 24.
Squads:
St Helens:
1. Lachlan Coote, 2, Tommy Makinson, 3. Kevin Naiqama, 5. Regan Grace, 6. Jonny Lomax, 7. Theo Fages, 8. Alex Walmsley, 9. James Roby, 11. Zeb Taia, 12, Dom Peyroux, 13. LMS, 14. Morgan Knowles, 15. Matty Lees, 16. Kyle Amor, 19. Aaron Smith, 20. James Bentley, 22. Jack Welsby, 23, Joe Batchelor, 26, Josh Simm, 27, Lewis Dodd, 31. Jake Wingfield
Wakefield Trinity
1. Alex Walker 2. Tom Johnstone 4. Reece Lyne 5. Ben Jones-Bishop 8. David Fifita 11. Matty Ashurst 13. Joe Westerman 15. Craig Kopczak 16. James Batchelor 17. Chris Green 18. Adam Tangata 21. Max Jowitt 22. Josh Wood 24. Jack Croft 29. Ryan Hampshire 31. Connor Bailey 36. Kelepi Tanginoa 37. Romain Navarrete 40. Innes Senior 41. Eddie Battye.
Referee: Robert Hicks
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