Wigan Warriors vs. Widnes Vikings: Key Players in Challenge Cup Clash

Widnes face the impossible task against Wigan in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals. The Warriors obliterated them, 62-4, the last time these sides met at the DW Stadium, but if they are to have any chance, their key players must perform.

We’ve picked out the three players who will have the greatest effect on Monday’s outcome.

Patrick Ah Van (Widnes Vikings)

With Wigan likely to find tries easy to come by, Widnes’ success will depend on whether they keep their half of the scoreboard rolling over at the same rate as the opposition.

In Ah Van, Widnes have a player capable of scoring when it matters. The Samoan international winger posted two tries late on against Bradford recently as Widnes claimed a much-needed Super League win, and his power on the wing gives them a glimmer of hope.

The combination of him and Rhys Hanbury will cause Wigan problems, but it’ll take two tries apiece just to make an upset conceivable. That shouldn’t add too much expectation to Ah Van though—he posted three the last time these two met in a desperately close 33-32 defeat. By bullying the Wigan attack into mistakes and breaking through their backline, he can become the catalyst for an away victory.

There’s only one small thing that might concern teammates and fans alike. Ah Van is a former New Zealand Warrior and when the big day comes any small sentiment for his old side’s namesakes, the Wigan Warriors, would mark the end of Widnes Challenge Cup run.

 

Sam Tomkins (Wigan Warriors)

He scores tries. He creates tries. The fullback is embroiled in a personal battle with Josh Charnley for top spot in the Wigan try-scoring charts as the two propel the Warriors towards the Super League and Challenge Cup double. They scored seven tries between them the last time Widnes visited the DW Stadium.

Wigan had rated his chances as 50-50, according to Sky Sports, but Tomkins has been included in the squad for Monday's clash.

Tomkins has torn through even the tightest Super League defences this year, and if he can reach those heights then expect him to add to his haul of 23 tries from this season.

David Allen (Widnes Vikings)

Allen returns to Wigan intent on knocking out the side who released him eight years ago. After a turbulent career, which has seen him serve a drugs ban, he is finally playing consistently well.

He must be the focal point of the Widnes defence, organising those around him and charging into challenge after challenge. With the prize of a Challenge Cup semi-final and the prospect of beating his former employers, this is Allen’s stage to shine.

You won’t see his face plastered across the sports pages if Widnes pull off a famous win, but his endeavour and tackling are fundamental to their chances. He tops Widnes’ tackling charts by a fair margin, and the second row’s tireless work will give Widnes every chance of victory.

His current deal expires at the end of the 2014 season, but a dogged display against Wigan could see the 27-year-old’s stay with the club extended and his name written in Widnes folklore.