Event of the Day: Wigan Warriors versus Warrington Wolves
Our event of the day is the Super League Grand Final between Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves at Old Trafford in Manchester. The Super League season boils down to an epic showdown between two sides both searching for a Hollywood ending. Wigan are intent on giving numerous influential figures a big send off. Head coach Shaun Wane will lead the team out one final time, the club he first joined as a player back in 1982. He has gone on to guide Wigan to four Super League Grand Finals, winning two, in 2013 and 2016. There could not be a more fitting occasion to round off a hugely successful seven years in the Wigan hot-seat than today’s Old Trafford Grand Final. A selection of star players will also be departing after the final whistle, including Sam Tomkins and John Bateman, who have both agreed deals with new teams for next season.
Warrington go into the game with the underdog tag. They are searching for their maiden Super League title, having been defeated in 2012, and then in 2013 and 2016 by today’s opponents. Victory today would mean a new name finally being etched onto the Super League trophy for the first time since 2004. Warrington have done tremendously well to reach the Grand Final. They spectacularly overcame St Helens, a side who had won 26 out of 30 matches this year and topped both the Super League and Super 8’s convincingly, 18-13 in the semi-finals. A Grand Final win would complete an incredible transformation for a team who finished way down in ninth last season. With one of the greatest prizes in rugby league up for grabs, it is sure to be a fantastic spectacle.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the second ODI in a five-game series between Sri Lanka and England at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. Rain stopped play in the first ODI on Thursday, with England 92-2. Joe Root hit an unbeaten 25 after Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow were dismissed. In Wisconsin, the MLB playoff between the Milwaukee Brewers and the LA Dodgers continues at Miller Park. Elsewhere in the United States, the Washington Capitals welcome the Toronto Maple Leaves to the Capital One Arena in the NHL. Additional sporting action in Washington comes from Audi Field, where D.C. United host FC Dallas in the MLS. Further football can be found at the Johan Cruyff Arena, as the Netherlands play World Cup under-performers Germany in the Nations League. Exeter begin their quest for their firstEuropean Champions Cup title at home to Munster. The British Masters continue in Tadworth on the European Tour, whilst on the LPGA Tour it’s the third day of the KEB Hana Bank Championship in South Korea. Further sporting action in Asia is on display in China, where it’s the seventh day of the Rolex Shanghai Masters on the ATP World Tour, and day six of the Tianjin Open on the WTA World Tour.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by Wigan Warriors; Warrington Wolves