Page 30 - Rugby League World (February 2020)

WARRINGTON WOLVES

RLW PREDICTS: 3rd

Warrington probably boast the most As well as their established stars,
star-studded line-up in Super League in Warrington have assembled some
2020. Their signing of Gareth Widdop exciting youngsters to push from behind.
completes a pretty formidable spine but Matty Ashton was the Championship’s
that’s only if they can keep him fit. If any top tryscorer last year and he has the
player has a reputation for injuries, it’s task of forcing his way past either
Widdop. Tom Lineham or Josh Charnley on the
He’s had several shoulder problems in Warrington wing.
recent history and has already been ruled Warrington have also brought Keanan
out of the opening week of Super League Brand and Anthony Gelling in from
after joining from St George Illawarra Widnes. Gelling has returned to Super
Dragons. League after a year in the NRL and a year
But once they get him and Blake Austin in the Championship with the Vikings.
firing and then add Daryl Clark and Stefan He’ll be looking to get his hands back on
Ratchford, they’ll become very hard to that Super League trophy he won with
stop if they get a roll on. Wigan. Meanwhile, Sammy Kibula has
That roll is to be generated by a sizeable joined the club from Wigan
forward pack. Chris Hill is the leader but Heading out the door are centres Bryson
Mike Cooper does a very underrated job in Goodwin and Ryan Atkins. Kevin Brown
the Wolves’ front row. Combine those two has left for Salford and Ben Westwood
with the size of Ben Murdoch-Masila and has retired.
it’s not hard to see why many are predicting Lama Tasi has headed for Queensland and
success for Warrington in 2020. Harvey Livett has joined Hull KR on loan.
Even their bench has Great Britain There’s little doubt that Warrington will
experience on it in the shape of Joe be challenging for all the major honours in
Philbin who had an excellent breakout 2020 with their impressive-looking squad.
2020 SQUAD: season last year, earning himself a spot We say it every year, but 2020 could
1 Stefan Ratchford on the Lions Tour. actually be their year!
2 Tom Lineham
3 Anthony Gelling STAR PLAYER COACH
4 Toby King
5 Josh Charnley
6 Blake Austin
7 Gareth Widdop
8 Chris Hill
9 Daryl Clark
10 Mike Cooper
11 Ben Currie
12 Jack Hughes
13 Ben Murdoch-Masila
14 Jason Clark
15 Joe Philbin
17 Jake Mamo
18 Sitaleki Akauola
2020 is Steve Price’s third year with
19 Matt Davis
the club and while the Wolves won
20 Danny Walker Warrington Wolves fans will be looking the Challenge Cup last year, you get
21 Declan Patton at their spine and licking their lips ahead the feeling that Price thinks there is
22 Luis Johnson of 2020 and Blake Austin is arguably the unfinished business.
23 Luther Burrell star name in that lineup. He’s assembled a squad full of stars but
24 Keanan Brand His maiden year in Super League in 2019 he will need to mould them into a team
was a success for the halfback. He was for them to be successful.
25 Samy Kibula
able to showcase his obvious ability and Price coached his way up through the
26 Matty Ashton
elusive running from the outset. grades with St George Illawarra Dragons,
27 Ellis Robson An injury halfway through the season worked under Wayne Bennett as his
28 Nathan Roebuck halted his progress towards the Man of assistant before becoming head coach
29 Josh Thewlis Steel award but he was still one of the in 2012. He stayed in the position until
30 Riley Dean stars of last year and will be looking to be 2014 when he was replaced by current
once again this year. incumbent Paul McGregor.

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