Betts: Super League future is on the line
WIDNES coach Denis Betts says his club’s Super League status will be on the line when they face relegation rivals Leigh in the fourth round of the Super 8s qualifiers today.
Both clubs are level on four points after winning two of their opening three matches and the pressure to avoid the drop into the Championship will pile on the losers at the Leigh Sports Village.
“That’s what the league has created, that jeopardy,” Betts said. “You get to a point where for us, and Leigh, this game puts us probably in a place where we can secure our time in Super League next year.
“Whoever wins this game gets a foothold on that second or third spot. In the context of where we are, this is a really important game.
“We’ve trained that way, we’ve thought that way, our processes through theWarrington, Halifax and Featherstone games have been building towards where our performance levels need to be for these type of games which are do-or-die.
“There’s no point trying to hide from the fact that these games are about unity within the group and an understanding of what is expected from each individual in the group.”
The Centurions conceded the double to the Vikings in the regular season but they stepped up their survival bid with the late-season recruitment of overseas duo Samisoni Langi and Daniel Mortimer and have won three of their last four matches.
“They’ve done well with their recruitment,” Betts said. “To be able to pick those two players up is an advantage. They are pretty good acquisitions to the squad.
“They will probably feel a bit aggrieved about us getting a win at their place last time. It will be fireworks from the start so we have got to start well.”