Finch ‘like a caged dog’

Wigan coach Michael Maguire admits Brett Finch is desperate to make his Super League debut against Warrington.

The half-back arrived from Melbourne during the winter but missed the opening six weeks of the new campaign after undergoing neck surgery.

But, having watched on from the sidelines, the Australian is now ready to make his long-awaited bow in Friday’s top-of-the-table clash.

Maguire will make a late decision on whether to throw Finch in against the Wolves, though he has no concerns about the new man settling in to the team.

“He’s like a caged dog, ready to go,” he said of a player who he knows well from their time together with the Storm.

“He’s a player with vast experience and, with the enthusiasm he brings, he’ll slot in every easily. It will be a great boost when he comes in.”

Warrington have prepared to face Finch, who is likely to be paired with Thomas Leuluai in the half-back roles as Paul Deacon is still sidelined.

Threats

The Cherry and Whites are also able to welcome back full-back Sam Tomkins, though brother Joel is still serving a suspension.

“We’re well aware of some of the threats that Finchy possesses,” said assistant coach Willie Poching. “We know that he can make their team stronger if he’s there.”

The visitors go into the game off the back of an 82-6 rout of Harlequins at the Halliwell Jones Stadium last weekend, a scoreline that equalled the third highest win in the 16 seasons of Super League.

However Poching knows they will find points much harder to come by against the reigning champions, who gave up only six last Friday at Huddersfield.

“The players are professional enough to take what advantages they can out of the game last Sunday,” he added.

“We understand that this game will pose a different challenge. They’re the champions and they ran the champions of Australia close a few weeks ago.”

Wigan’s Ryan Hoffman – who, like Finch, arrived from Melbourne in the off-season – recognises the importance of the fixture at the DW Stadium.

The Cherry and Whites are the only unbeaten side left in the competition but come up against opponents who have won their last five on the spin.

“Even this early in the season, it’s a game everyone is looking forward to,” he said.

“Warrington are on a bit of a roll. They certainly got some tryscoring practice at the weekend so we know our defence will have to be up to the standard it was against Huddersfield.”