Wigan Warriors v Widnes Vikings: Super 8s preview
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 02/09/16 9:55am
Wigan forward Willie Isa says his side have control of their own destiny as they set their sights on claiming the two trophies still up for grabs in 2016.
Currently in third place in Super League, the Warriors can go above Warrington and draw level with leaders Hull with victory over Widnes in the fourth round of the Super 8s at the DW Stadium on Thursday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD and Sky Sports Mix.
And, with fixtures to come against both the Challenge Cup finalists in the run-in, Isa senses Wigan are primed to make up for the disappointment of their Cup semi-final defeat by securing their first silverware since they did the league and cup double three years ago.
"Every week it's a big game now, ever since the Super 8s started," said Isa, the former Castleford and Widnes player who is hoping to lift a trophy in his first season with the Warriors.
"The big thing for us is that we've got control over our own destiny and, as long as we keep in control, we'll be fine. We've got to knuckle down and keep winning games, whether they're ugly wins or not, it's pretty simple really.
"It's why I signed for the club, to win a trophy, and it has been a few years now. For a big club that's not good enough and we're not hiding from that fact.
"We missed out on one but we've got two to go for and we'll be doing the best we can to make that happen."
Shaun Wane's men are hoping to pick up from where they left off against St Helens in their previous match. They followed their 25-0 win with a blank weekend because of Wembley but Isa says it was no week off.
"It was a good and bad week," he said. "Obviously we wanted to be at Wembley but for us to be on the training pitch all last week has helped us. There was no rest there.
"It was good that we had the chance to work on things in our attack. Our defence has been alright this year but our attack needs to pick up."
Widnes will be aiming to pull off their second win of the season at the DW Stadium, following their 18-12 victory in March which briefly took them to the top of the table.
Wigan gained their revenge with a 7-0 win at the Select Security Stadium in June but Isa is expecting a stern challenge from Denis Betts' men, even though they are guaranteed to finish outside the top four.
"The last time we played them, they played well but our defence held up," Isa said. "I'm looking forward to the challenge.
"A guy like Kev Brown is a competitor and obviously there are a few other ex-Wigan blokes who probably want to prove something too.
"We've got something to play for so we're not dropping to anybody's level. It's a big game for us to take the next step towards the final stages of this competition. We're preparing for a big game."
The Vikings' 19-man squad contains six former Wigan players, including their most recent addition, loose forward Greg Burke who made 19 appearances for his home-town club this season before moving to Widnes two months ago.
"Greg Burke has been playing really well for them," Wane said. "He's a great passer of the ball and one of their main threats."
Wigan are set to be unchanged for the clash, with Oliver Gildart deputising for injured winger Dom Manfredi. Skipper Sean O'Loughlin remains sidelined, along with Tony Clubb, Joel Tomkins and Michael McIlorum.
While Widnes have loose forward Macgraff Leuluai and centre Charly Runciman back from injury, and half-back Tom Gilmore is in contention for a recall after recovering from a shoulder injury sustained in April.
Wigan Warriors: John Bateman, Joe Bretherton, Josh Charnley, Dom Crosby, Liam Farrell, Ben Flower, Anthony Gelling, Oliver Gildart, Willie Isa, Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Sam Powell, Dan Sarginson, Jake Shorrocks, Matty Smith, Ryan Sutton, Taulima Tautai, Lewis Tierney, Sam Tomkins, George Williams.
Widnes Vikings: Kevin Brown, Greg Burke, Jack Buchanan, Hep Cahill, Jay Chapelhow, Chris Dean, Gil Dudson, Connor Farrell, Tom Gilmore, Rhys Hanbury, Aaron Heremaia, Chris Houston, Macgraff Leuluai, Stefan Marsh, Joe Mellor, Charly Runciman, Corey Thompson, Lloyd White, Matt Whitley.
Watch Wigan v Widnes live on Sky Sports 1 HD and Sky Sports Mix on Thursday from 7.30pm. Catch the match for £6.99 on NOW TV. No contract.
