It will be close that's for sure. I think Wakefield will edge it due to a bit more sl experience but I ain't banking on it. The lack of a decnt goal kicker for wakey may have a big bearing on this game.

If Watts has a good game and is fit he could be the match winner.I have only watched him briefly against Saints, and he was magic and the best halfback i have seen in a Widnes shirt for a long time.

First and foremost welcome back into SL!! I'm sure most Wakey supporters are happy to have you back even if it does mean possibly losing the first game of 2012!

As for the game, i'm just hoping for a tight affair. Last season was brutal, watching such an inexperienced side torn to shreds at time. For both sets of fan, i do hope it's a closely contested match.

As previously mentioned, it's going to be scrappy, and littered with errors, but such is the case in all fixtures in round 1. Two new squads desperate to start the season well and i'd expect the likes of Watts, Smith or John to be the difference in scores

Thankyou mate i am looking forward to the game, but can not make the game because of work.So i be watching on sky as i live in Gloucester.I think most clubs and fans are happy we are back in Superleague.

Except it's not well documented is it?

This is the result of the lazy journalism and media driven assumption both pre and post franchise decision, the truth it is not!

Beleive me I KNOW 1st hand that Wakefields franchise application was better than Celtics, Halifax's and at least two other clubs.

This "Wakefield saved by Crusaders withdrawal" statement has now almost become fact for no other reason than it's been said a lot and no one has continually challenged it.

Watts out for 2 weeks is believed to be the rumour with his hamstring. Hope its not true, if all that was true about the hamstring playing up in cold weather etc i really cant see him playing.

My mate emailed me before and he reckons that he's the best since Tony Myler. Definitely worth a tenner for Man of Steel I reckon, on the proviso that he stays fit of course. Just set up an account with ApolloBet to put this bet on which is an absolute bugger to do. Ballache!!

Just think of the £670 return

. I'm going to put something similar on myself, its a shot in the dark but thats why its 66/1.

If a hamstring injury not right be better to rest to fully better.If true play Craven with Hanbury.Hope not White pairing with Hanbury.

I totally agree with you, if he isn't 100% fit, it would be a wasted number on the team sheet imo

I'm glad you've waited before picking out this season's scape goat mate

Mate i hope White proves me wrong, but what i have seen he is very average and slow.Replacement for Coyle for me.



Serious i just rate Craven more than White.

Correct, Muck. Throw in a cheeky 10 quid free bet and we are talking a fair amount of scratch!

I think i may have a cheeky £30 bet.

I admit i think the best since Tony Myler, and he was always injured.Hopefully it was just the cold weather and not a permanent injury.Rather him rest than be out long term, as i think Craven is a decent player.

Ben Thaler of Wakefield is your ref on Friday.

Stitch up.

Not that I think it will make a difference but it does annoy me that since the RFL changed the rule allowing ref's to officiate their 'own / local team' they seem to give them most games which is bizzare! Especially Silverwood at Leeds etc. Any mistake get's treated as contentious, so why bother?

In reality it was only brought in as Ganson was top Ref and never getting final's due to Saints being there yet they seem to have gone from on extreme to another.

Wonder how I would get on if I had to ref Fax v Widnes?

You'd be barred from the Fax forum for life

as I've already said HE TOLD ME HIMSELF he will be out for around 4 weeks.

I hope not

Widnes Vikings 24 v 29 Wakefield Trinity
MoM: Paul Aiton
Att: 7911
Wind: Prevailing SW
Temp: -5.5
Humidity: 1%
Anyone need the lottery numbers?

Likely Wakefield starting line up
Mathers
Fox
Collis
Mellars
Cockayne
John
Smith
Wilkes
Aiton
Amor
Lauitiiti
Southern
Washbrook

Ellis
Raleigh
Kirmond
Johnson

I may be wrong but AFAIK he's a Cas fan so yes it is a stitch up.