Wigan Warriors vs Warrington Wolves Odds: Epic final expected as rugby league honours a legend

The rugby league world comes together on Saturday for a poignant Betfred Challenge Cup final clash between the Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves at Wembley (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Just six days on from the passing of the legendary former Leeds Rhinos scrum-half Rob Burrow, this is sure to be an occasion which will show the sport at its very best.

There’s just something about rugby league in moments like this one. While in soccer, talk of a “football family” is normally the preserve of men in suits welcoming the latest billion-dollar sponsorship, the RL family truly unites when friend or foe alike faces adversity.

It was evident from the moment Burrow’s MND diagnosis was announced to the world in December 2019, with a benefit match and various other fundraising efforts quickly organised in the little half-back’s honour.

And over the last four-and-a-half years we have seen the motivation he has provided his great mate Kevin Sinfield to put himself through ever more taxing feats in the name of MND research.

It feels fitting in some way that Rob’s death should fall in this of all weeks. The Wembley cup final has forever been the time when the whole of rugby league has come together for a celebration. The Super League Grand Final might these days trump the Challenge Cup showpiece for sporting importance, but there is simply no sight like the mingling of all colours down Wembley Way each summer.

And just as Lizzie Jones’ stirring rendition of the sport’s traditional hymn, Abide With Me, brought tears to the eyes at the 2015 final just four months on from her husband Danny’s death on the field playing for the Keighley Cougars, Saturday’s various marks of respect to Burrow are certain to honour the great man’s legacy.

That 2015 finale was the last of five Wembley appearances for Burrow, and Leeds’ 50-0 win over Hull Kingston Rovers remains a record margin of victory. But this year’s final ought to emulate last August’s edition in being one of the closest.

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Just last weekend, Wigan and Warrington fought out an incredibly close battle at the Halliwell Jones Stadium as the Warriors edged a 19-18 thriller against a Wolves side showing a raft of changes in anticipation for the big day out at Wembley.

And Wigan’s decision to make only minor alterations to their line-up came back to bite them when Adam Keighran was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Aaron Lindop and Tyler Dupree was cited for a head butt on former Warrior Sam Powell.

Both miss the final as a result, having been handed three-match bans. And while Wigan coach Matt Peet back-tracked on his statement of disappointment in Keighran by later saying there wasn’t a lot the centre could do to avoid the nature of contact, the Warriors later decided not to appeal the suspension.

The fight show by a weakened Warrington side last week was typical of their significant improvement under Sam Burgess in 2024.

Against any other backdrop, ‘Slammin’ Sam’ would be the talk of the town heading towards the Wembley arch given his tremendous playing career. And the obvious distractions of the last few days ought not take away any of the sheen should the rookie coach lead his Wolves to success on Saturday.

His was an appointment which could easily have gone either way. The club had initially targeted former St Helens and Gold Coast Titans coach Justin Holbrook for the hot seat following Daryl Powell’s departure last summer, but when the Australian decided to stay in his home country the announcement that a man with zero games of coaching experience would take over shocked many.

But 16 games into his first role as a head coach, Burgess has his entire squad singing his praises. And although the Wolves are 15/8 outsiders against a world-champion outfit many onlookers are expecting to complete a quadruple in 2024, nobody could claim surprise if the former England pack star picks up the famous old silverware on Saturday given how much he has galvanised the club since his arrival.

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