WOOLF AT THE DOOR
Saints’ extra derby incentive
KRISTIAN WOOLF is ready to throw down the gauntlet to Wigan in a red-hot play-off warm-up.
The best two teams in Super League go head-to-head on Friday and Woolf says his men will come out all guns blazing. Saints will clinch the League Leaders’ Shield if they win or draw, and their fans would love to celebrate it in front of their bitter rivals. For Woolf, though, it’s more about the chance to signal their intent to blitz everybody in their path over the next few weeks.
He said: “It will be a great atmosphere, a good crowd and we’ll get a real high intensity which is what we want in preparation for the finals (play-offs) just around the corner. It’s everything we are going to need and everything we want.” Saints, who beat Hull KR on Friday to stay six points clear, have beaten Wigan twice in Super League already but lost to them in the Challenge Cup semi-final.
Only two points separated the two sides in both Wigan’s Cup win and Saints’ most recent league win at the Magic Weekend.
Another humdinger is expected at the DW Stadium on Friday night and Wigan coach Matt Peet is desperate to delay Saints’ League Leaders’ Shield presentation.
He said: “They are going to get it at some point but hopefully it’s not next week.
“There is a lot of pride and passion at stake.”
Three games remain in the regular season but two of them are crammed into the days either side of next weekend.
The fixture congestion was necessary because of an earlier season finish due to the World Cup starting in October.
It’s caused major concern with many coaches who have extensive injury lists and suspensions.
But Peet said: “We are looking forward to it and have got to relish it.
“From the start of the season we knew it was going to fall this way.”