Super League 
/ Stuart Jones / 24 March 2011 / Leave a Comment Stuart believes Hudds could redeem themselves this Saturday
"Huddersfield couldn’t be travelling to Craven Park at a better time... "
Wigan's backline has been clinical so far and now they're boosted by the return of a key player. Meanwhile, Stuart Jones believes Huddersfield can recover some pride this weekend.
Much to my and Nathan Brown's annoyance, Wigan put up a performance on Friday night that highlighted exactly why they will repeat last year's regular shield victory. Despite missing numerous first team players, and Amos Roberts' best efforts, Wigan restricted a solid top four side to just the six points at home and barely made a handling error in 80 minutes.
The Tomkins brothers return from suspension this week and, for the first time this season, Michael Maguire has been able to include Brett Finch in his provisional squad of 19. Finch's inclusion is a timely boost with Paul Deacon missing the last couple of rounds with injury, and the former Melbourne star should give an already clinical backline an added dimension, whilst his kicking from hand would be vastly superior to that of Thomas Leuluai.
Warrington won't be arriving at the DW Stadium short of confidence. Five consecutive wins and an 82-6 mauling of Quins last weekend has seen Tony Smith's men climb above Wigan in the league table, admittedly having played a game more.
It's very difficult to split the pair on paper, and the current prices look about right to me, given home advantage for Wigan. With so little between the two sides I can see this going right down to the wire, and with Lee Briers and Brett Finch both partial to a field goal, the [6.0] available for there to be a drop goal in the game looks worthy of a small interest.
Huddersfield get the chance to redeem themselves in front of the Sky cameras on Saturday evening as they take on Hull KR at Craven Park. Nathan Brown will have been very disappointed with the lack of composure shown by his side last week as they had the possession and territory to give Wigan much more of a game than they did. It's fair to say that is an area they will have focussed on during the week and they are unlikely to come up against such stubborn defence this time.
Hull KR haven't got their season off to the greatest of starts, not for the first time, and come into this fixture on the back of consecutive defeats. Last week's loss at Salford has left them down in ninth position. With key figures still on the sidelines, it's going to take a big effort to turn things around against the Giants.
Michael Dobson and Clint Newton won't be returning this week, and, even with the arrival of Blake Green and Willie Mason, the significance of their absence should not be underestimated. Dobson is the heartbeat of their backline, and Newton's tremendous work rate is something that is sorely missed.
Huddersfield couldn't be travelling to Craven Park at a better time and, with tries unlikely to be so hard to come by against a struggling KR side, I am going to keep the faith with them on the handicap.
Recommended Bets
Any player to score a drop goal @ [6.0] in the Wigan vs Warrington game
Huddersfield -4 @ [1.91] against Hull KR
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