Manfredi back in Warrior mix
WINGER RETURNS AS WIGAN FACE HUDDERSFIELD
WHEN Dom Manfredi steps on the field against Huddersfield tonight, it will be only his sixth match in 30 months.
The winger returned from more than two years on the sidelines to star in Wigan’s run to last year’s Grand Final, culminating in a try-double against Warrington Wolves at Old Trafford.
Minor knee surgery on the eve of the season has delayed the 25-yearold’s start to the 2019 Betfred Super League season, but he is now fit to play and has come into Adrian Lam’s squad at the expense of Tom Davies.
And with Joe Burgess expected to return in the coming weeks, Manfredi believes the competition to nail down a starting spot on the wing can only be healthy for the Warriors, who have struggled in the early rounds of the season and have just one win from their opening four fixtures.
“There’s going to be four of us in a couple of weeks time and it’s just all about how you react,” he said.
“It’s just all about how you react if you get pulled out or dropped, you’ve got to bite back, show what you can do and get back in the team.
“It’s about keeping your head up and not letting it get to you. I’m sure Tom will get his chance again and he will take it.
“It’s a good thing really, it’s going to keep us on our toes and make sure we are playing to our potential.”
After suffering a shock defeat away at London Broncos last weekend, albeit with a team depleted by injury, Lam pointed the finger at some of his senior players and has made several changes to his squad.
Ben Flower and Gabe Hamlin return to add power to the pack after missing the trip to the capital, while Dan Sarginson keeps his place despite limping off with injury during that match.
As cover, former Swinton Lions centre Chris Hankinson is included in the matchday 19 and would make his first appearance of the season – and only his third in Super League – should he be selected. Joe Greenwood again misses out with concussion.
Whoever takes to the field against the winless Giants tonight, Lam is expecting a response from his side.
He said: “We’ve crossed a bridge this week and I think you’ll see a different mentality on Friday night.”
The appeal earlier this week saw Wigan handed back the two points docked for a salary cap breach, meaning Huddersfield are the only team in the league still on zero points, but Lam isn’t underestimating Simon Woolford’s side.
“On video they’re (Huddersfield) playing well,” he said. “They are probably an unfortunate team that could have had different results like us.
“We understand that they are also trying to get their performances up so that’s going to be a massive challenge for us.”