Rugby League Challenge Cup Final Betting Tips

The Challenge Cup final is upon us as the Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors pack their bags for the big dance at Wembley Stadium.

The annual competition coincides with the Super League season and has been held since 1896 making it one of the oldest competitions in Rugby League history.

The early rounds of the tournament started in early January where community teams battled out the early stages and were later joined by stronger clubs from the National Conference League, League 1, the Championship and lastly all 12 Super League Clubs.

Two Aussie Coaches squared off in last year’s final, with Adrian Lam’s Leigh Leopards taking on Willie Peters Hull Kingston Rovers in a historic battle which saw Leigh win in Golden Point via a Lachlan Lam field goal.

But this year’s showdown will see Matty Peet’s World Champion Wigan Warriors squaring off with Sam Burgess’ Warrington Wolves in what should be a nail biter.

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Challenge Cup Final Tips

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Sunday 9/6/24

12:07am Warrington Wolves vs Wigan Warriors @ Wembley Stadium, London

First the dress rehearsal now this – just seven days after both sides faced off in what was an unusual contest, we get to see the rematch.

The game is scheduled to kick off at 3:07pm London time (12:07am) our time in honour of the late great Rob Burrow who sadly passed away last weekend after battling MND for the past four years – so it will be a big occasion.

Last weekend Sam Burgess opted to rest most of his squad naming four debutants in a starting 17 that only featured five players from the week before.

Matty Peet on the other hand opted to rest some of his stars but still played players such as Bevan French, Harry Smith and Adam Keighran.

But over the weekend Warrington shocked everyone and showed a hell of a fight from the jump.

They lead by 12 early in the match but Wigan slowly grinded their way back into the match and lead 19 to 12 at the break.

Most thought Wigan would run away with it in the second half, but they didn’t.

The baby Wolves kept them scoreless and if it weren’t for Harry Smith’s first-half field goal, the outcome could have been different as Wigan eventually won 19 to 18.

It’s not often a losing coach comes into the press conference more cheerful than the winning coach and Sam Burgess had 18 reasons to smile.

As surprising as the contest was, it didn’t give us a great insight into how each side will play this weekend and sadly I don’t think you can take too much out of it.

Yes, a young Warrington side played out of their skin – but Wigan aren’t going to have another lacklustre performance like that.

But they will be without Adam Keighran and their enforcer through the middle Tyler Dupree, who were both charged and subsequently suspended for incidents in the match.

Which makes you wonder whether Matty Peet wishes he sat more of his players.

They will be big losses this weekend, especially losing a goal kicker in Keighran.

Wigan will welcome back Jai Field, Abbas Miski, Jake Wardle and Luke Thompson.

While Warrington will welcome back Matt Dufty, Matty Ashton, George Williams and Paul Vaughan.

This will be Warrington’s first match on the big stage since their Challenge Cup final win over the Saints in 2019.

Wigan on the other hand won last year’s Grand Final and this year’s World Club Challenge which is treated like a Grand Final in England – so they certainly know how to handle the pressure.

It will be Sam Burgess first chance at lifting silverware as a head coach but can they prove themselves on the big stage like their juggernaut opponent has? I’m just not sure.

Betting tip: Wigan -5.5 @ $1.80

Wigan by 8

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Tips Writer

Jake Kearnan

After graduating from Griffith University in 2019, Jake spent four years working as a multi-platform journalist for the national broadcaster.

He recently packed his bags and moved to the north of England to pursue travel and continues to work as a freelance writer covering all sports.

When he is not working or travelling, you can expect to see Jake strapping on his boots for a local footy club, throwing his leg over a dirt bike at the motocross track or sitting down for a pint at his local.