Warrington v Salford big match preview

It’s been said so many times in Rugby League and sport in general, a week is a long time. Well Salford found out on Thursday night at home to Hull Kingston Rovers that eighty minutes can be a long time. The Red Devils started that match at a blistering tempo and looked like doing a complete demolition job on their opponents. That wasn’t the case at all. Salford seemed to over play the situation and force the pass at times when it wasn’t needed.
 When it comes off it’s fantastic but when it doesn’t you can end frustrated and beaten. Full credit to the Robins they had a brilliant game plan for Salford that shut our key players down. Add to that the talent and skill they posses in their back line, they now have two wins from two matches.

It’s another Thursday night match this week and the short trip to Warrington were the atmosphere is always an exciting one. The Wolves have made a perfect start to 2023 thumping Leeds on the opening night and last Friday they won away at Huddersfield in another impressive performance.

Warrington have made some huge signings for this season with all eyes on their performances and in particular coach Daryl Powell. Sam Kasiano and Gil Dudson have joined from Catalans. The pack have been very well bolstered by these pair and add to that Paul Vaughan and Josh McGuire, you have arguably the biggest pack in the division. I’ve been particularly impressed with Vaughan. His work rate and professionalism will rub off on the rest of the squad. He’s also a strong runner and tough tackler. An old fashioned no nonsense player.

McGuire seems to be a bit of a loose cannon and has already been handed a lengthy ban. He looks a real handful though. Kasiano is a real wrecking ball when he gets on the gallop too.

Josh Drinkwater is another new signing and if he can work consistently with partner George Williams the Wolves have a real chance to win something.

Over the last few seasons we’ve seen some cracking matches in this fixture and I am expecting another one on Thursday night.

Super League away record.

Warrington 20

Draws 0

Salford 10

1997 Warrington 23 Salford 8

1998 Warrington 4 Salford 37

1999 Warrington 28 Salford 14

2000 Warrington 32 Salford 18

2000 Warrington 38 Salford 10

2001 Warrington 14 Salford 39

2002 Warrington 18 Salford 9

2002 Warrington 2 Salford 22

2004 Warrington 46 Salford 20

2005 Warrington 48 Salford 14

2005 Warrington 32 Salford 22

2006 Warrington 6 Salford 24

2006 Warrington 6 Salford 22

2007 Warrington 42 Salford 6

2009 Warrington 62 Salford 20

2010 Warrington 32 Salford 2

2011 Warrington 16 Salford 18

2012 Warrington 24 Salford 20

2013 Warrington 68 Salford 10

2014 Warrington 36 Salford 20

2015 Warrington 22 Salford 8

2016 Warrington 40 Salford 14

2017 Warrington 12 Salford 38

2018 Warrington 30 Salford 14

2019 Warrington 12 Salford 36

2019 Warrington 12 Salford 22

2020 Warrington 24 Salford 0 (match forfeited, Warrington awarded win)

2021 Warrington 20 Salford 19

2022 Warrington 32 Salford 18

2022 Warrington 24 Salford 32

They played for both.

Here are a few players to wear the red of Salford and the primrose and blue of Warrington

Vinny Anderson, kevin Ashcroft, Richie Barnett, Steve Blakeley, Martin Crompton, John Duffy, Phil Ford, Martin Gleeson, Andy Gregory, Danny Halliwell, Neil Harmon, Alan Hunte, David Highton, Danny Lima, Lama Tasi, Tyrone McCarthy, Francis Maloney, Adrian Morley, Chris Morley, Ben Murdoch Masila, Richie Myler, Adam Neal, Gareth O Brien, Rob Parker, Stefan Ratchford, Stuart Reardon, Ian Sibbit, Kevin Tamati, Mike Wainwright and John Wilshere.

A MATCH TO REMEMBER FRIDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER 2002.

Warrington 2 Salford 22.

Salford were really struggling at the bottom end of the table along with Wakefield and Warrington. One team would be relegated so this match became a vital one. A really good vocal following packed in to the away end behind the sticks. The noise and anticipation before kick off was electric. Salford had already lost at Warrington earlier in the season 18-9.

Wilderspool was old and tired as a ground but was full of character. In modern day rugby league with new stadiums it’s fair to say I miss these places.

Don’t get me wrong there are some fantastic facilities in the sport in 2021 but there was something magical about a game under the lights at The Willows, Wilderspool, Central Park and Hilton Park to name a few.

It turned out to be one of the most faultless displays I’ve ever seen from any Salford side. It was almost mistake free. The defence was sensational, tackling The wolves to an absolute standstill.

Alan Hunte was the hero as he scored two tries against his former club, the clincher coming when he intercepted a Lee Briers kick and sprinted the full length of the pitch with 10 minutes to go.

Jason Nicol went over in between Hunte’s two scores, and Australian forward Greg Ebrill added a further try with two minutes to go. Salford’s away following were thrilled at full time and celebrated as if they had won the league. It certainly was a special night and a magical atmosphere.

The Reds were unrecognisable from the team which had gone nine games without a win. This victory lifted Salford off the bottom and dropped Wakefield in to the relegation zone.

The season went right done to the last game. Salford had to beat Castleford at home to stay up. Wakefield thrashed Warrington on the final day. Sadly for the reds a poor performance which summed 2002 up saw the Tigers win 10-20 at the Willows to confirm relegation.

2003 would see Karl Harrison’s Salford bounce straight back after an epic season in division one, but that’s another story for another day!

The teams that night;

Warrington Wolves: O’Reilly; Smyth, Alstead, Westwood, Appo; Briers, N Wood; Fozzard, Clarke, Hilton, Guisset, P Wood, Burns. Subs: Penny, Noone, Sturm, Stevens.

Salford City Reds: Gibson; Reardon, Maloney, Nicol, Hunte; Blakeley, Watson; Baynes, Alker, P Highton, Treacy, Wainwright, D Highton. Subs: Broadbent, Shaw, Coley, Ebrill.

Referee: B Connolly (Wigan).

Attendance, 5,684.

Thursday’s match.

How do Paul Rowley and Kurt Haggerty mastermind a victory in this match? As we’ve already mentioned their is a huge pack to contend with and a very good half back partnership. 
Salford have plenty of strike players of their own but it’s the forwards that need to get on top to provide that platform. 2023 is a big year for Jack Ormondroyd. He always reminds me of Rocky Balboa’s old foe Ivan Drago. Jack has all the attributes to be an international forward. King Vuniyayawa is another tough player to stop when in full flight and in loose forward Oliver Partington Salford have a very exciting player. 

I am expecting this match to be played at a very high intensity. If it’s a clear dry night as forecast the pitch should be a quick one and ideal for player like Brodie Croft and George Williams to craft their magic. 

Salford will be in front of the television cameras for the third week running which is pretty rare these days. 

It’s a shame this match isn’t a weekend game but thursday nights are becoming a regular thing with television coverage.

The action gets under way at 8pm.

Safe travels and enjoy the match.

Paul Whiteside. 

Big thanks to Steve McCormick for the photos.