FRIDAY will be the seventh time in the Super League era that Warrington Wolves have stood on the brink of Old Trafford.
And in their six previous appearances at this late stage of the play-offs, their record is a largely positive one.
All six of those came in an eight-year period between 2011 and 2018, and four resulted in a Grand Final appearance.
The first of those was, of course, in 2012 when The Wire memorably won 36-18 at St Helens to reach their first ever Super League Grand Final.
Indeed, both of their victories in semi-finals away from home came at Saints’ expense, with the other being their last visit to this stage back in 2018 thanks to Tom Lineham’s late winning try.
Their other two wins came at The Halliwell Jones Stadium against Huddersfield in 2013 and against Saints again in 2016.
Their two defeats both came in agonising fashion – having won the 2011 League Leaders’ Shield, they chose to face Leeds Rhinos at home in the controversial “Club Call” system only to be beaten 26-24 by a last-gasp Kevin Sinfield penalty.
Then in 2014, they were knocked out at Wigan by a 79th-minute try from Joe Burgess, who will likely be in the Robins side that faces them on Friday.
Ben Currie and Stefan Ratchford were in the Warrington side on the night while two of their current Wire teammates – Sam Powell and John Bateman – were among Wigan’s number.
Warrington Wolves record in Super League semi-finals
2011 – lost 26-24 to Leeds (H)
2012 – won 36-18 v St Helens (A)
2013 – won 30-22 v Huddersfield (H)
2014 – lost 16-12 v Wigan (A)
2016 – won 18-10 v St Helens (H)
2018 – won 18-13 v St Helens (A)
A first for Hull KR
While Warrington have plenty of history in terms of being this close to Old Trafford, it is still pretty new for their opponents on Friday, who will be hosting a Super League semi-final for the very first time.
However, Hull KR’s history is more recent with both of their semi-final appearances coming in the six years since The Wire were last at this stage.
Of course, Wolves fans will remember that the Robins’ first semi-final appearance came at their expense – having won 19-0 at The Halliwell Jones Stadium in the eliminator round, Rovers then travelled to Perpignan where they lost 28-10 to Catalans Dragons, who went on to lose the Grand Final to St Helens.
They also reached the semi-finals last year having beaten Leigh Leopards in the eliminators but were hammered 42-12 at eventual Grand Final winners Wigan Warriors.
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