BRUV AFFAIR
But James is Joe’s ‘enemy’ as Batchelor boys go head-to-head
Wakefield v St Helens Today, 3pm
JOE BATCHELOR will play out a nerve-jangling version of War and Peace with younger brother James today.
The St Helens forward is in the form of his life and desperate to stretch the champions’ Super League lead to six points.
But victory at Belle Vue will deal a potentially devastating blow to James and Trinity.
Scrapping
The bottom club are fighting for their lives and seven of their remaining eight games are against top-six sides – including Saints twice.
But Batchelor, 27, said he cannot afford to think about the ramifications for his 24-year-old brother, saying: “James is my enemy for 80 minutes, unfortunately.
“We have just got to get on with it and act like we do not know each other. I want to beat them, but I hope they pick up wins elsewhere.”
Emotions will be trickier for the brothers’ family, who will be out in force for today’s clash.
Batchelor said: “It’s a strange one, but at least they can all get to the same game to watch us both for a change.
“But I can’t look too much into Wakefield’s position and what it means. All I know is they’re scrapping for their lives and it will be tough.
“They are in a difficult position, but they have players who can cause us problems. When they came to us, it was one of the toughest games we’d had then because they matched us for energy and intensity.”
Wakefield hand a debut to full-back
Jamie Shaul, who is on loan from Hull, and have winger Lee
Kershaw back after
10 months out with a ruptured ACL.
Coach Willie
Poching, whose side have lost four on the bounce, said: “There has been a bit of hurt after you lose, but it’s important how you move on. Saints have been the pacesetters for a number of years and we understand the enormity of the task, but we are ready to embrace that.”
Meanwhile, Batchelor is flying with three tries in four games – including a brilliant one in the Magic Weekend win over Wigan.
Outrageous
The back-rower collected his own grubber kick before racing in and also produced an outrageous dummy to send Jonny Lomax over for a last-gasp try. He said: “I practise kicking and some of the lads take the mick.
“But now they know I’m not. We have a fella who comes in to help the kickers, but I said he’s redundant now.
“I’ve watched my try back, but
I’ve watched Jonny’s try more because it was really poignant in the context of the season.”