Super League 2025 round 3 – Wigan Warriors vs Warrington Wolves preview

9.30pm UK time, 1.30pm local time – Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas

Has there ever been such a big buildup for a Super League fixture? In the regular season, I think the answer’s an emphatic no, but I can’t remember a Grand Final even getting half as much coverage as this weekend’s game.

The idea of a Super League game being played in Las Vegas seemed incredibly far-fetched not too long ago, so full credit to Wigan and Warrington for pulling this off.

It might upset a few of the traditionalists, especially Wigan fans who are losing a home game from the schedule in 2025, but this feels like it could be the start of something big.

I say that with a pinch of salt, given the number of false dawns we’ve had as a sport. Part of me is convinced this will be a one-off and we’ll all look back on it nostalgically and reminisce about the time we took our great game to the States.

There’s another part of me though that can’t help but get carried away with the possibilities. For starters, the NRL are locked in for another three years in Vegas, so as a bare minimum I would hope we have a Super League game on the bill every year, and I don’t see the NRL being against that.

Will the USA fall in love with RL after this? Probably not, but I’m more excited for the chance we have to showcase Super League to Australian fans this weekend. I suspect most of them view our competition as a feeder league more in line with their reserve grade competitions than the NRL, and maybe they have a point on occasion.

However, with thousands of our fans going out there and making it a party atmosphere, plus two of our top teams showing what they can do on the pitch, I’m hopeful we can prove a few of them wrong about our competition and get more of them on board.

Getting a whole new audience (and country) hooked on Super League after one match will be a tough ask. But an existing fan base in a country where it’s one of their top sports? That sounds very doable to me. Let’s just hope our boys put on a hell of a show to get the day started in style…

Form guide

Wigan come into this weekend’s game with a 1-1 record, but they’ve pretty much picked up where they left off in 2024. Granted, they were beaten in round one, but a 0-1 loss to Leigh made it a remarkable five straight games without conceding a try, and last weekend they only conceded once to Hull FC in a comfortable 4-46 away win. That means they’ve conceded just seven points in their past six Super League games – an astonishing record.

As for Warrington, they’ve won both of their first two fixtures this year without hitting top gear. A 12-20 win at Huddersfield in round one was followed up with an 18-12 win over Catalans at home last weekend, but they look well poised for an Old Trafford push this year.

Team news

Wigan have named an unchanged 21-man squad from last weekend’s win over Hull FC.

The biggest worry for Warrington was that coach Sam Burgess would miss the game, having initially been denied a visa to enter the States. Luckily that’s all sorted now and he’ll be at the helm on Saturday.

On the playing front, Warrington have named an unchanged 21-man squad from last weekend’s win over Catalans Dragons.

My prediction – Wigan Warriors 18-6 Warrington Wolves

Despite all the hype and my hope that we see a fast-flowing, entertaining game that gets all the American neutrals on board, let’s not forget that two competition points are up for grabs this week. Just because this game’s taking place in Vegas, it doesn’t mean either side will abandon their principles to put on a show for one night only, so I’m expecting Wigan’s defence to be as solid as ever, although if anyone can crack their line it’ll be the Wire.

Betting tips

Vegas is made for a big-game player like Bevan French, so the 4/1 on him being named man of the match looks a good bet. Similarly, if you think Warrington are likely to win, then George Williams or Matt Dufty are both good shouts at 6/1.

In the try scorer market, I like the look of Kruise Leeming to score first at 22/1 for Wigan.