WARRINGTON Wolves are in good shape for Saturday’s ‘derby’ with Wigan in their great American adventure.

First-team coach Martin Gleeson said all available players will take part in training on Thursday.

All 17 players who featured in the 18-12 win against Catalans Dragons last Friday have made the trip.

“It will virtually be the 21-man squad from last week. There won’t be any surprises,” said first-team coach Martin Gleeson.

“The lads are in great spirits. It’s a day off today, a chill-out day, people have different things planned to go and see the sights.

“There’s a couple going to the Grand Canyon. The Sphere (revolutionary venue to enjoy immersive shows, concerts, and events) is very close by. Everything’s in one spot, so the lads are soaking it up and taking it all in. You’ve got to make the most of it while you’re here.”

The coaches and players have not visited the Allegiant Stadium yet, but they will do so prior to Saturday’s encounter which Gleeson says feels like more than a battle for two points.

Gleeson has been talking to some of the NRL players who were involved in this event in its inaugural year in 2024, when only the southern hemisphere clubs were involved, to get a feel of what can be expected.

“From what I’m hearing it’s super fast, it’s under the roof in a climate controlled stadium and the pitch is supposed to be the best they’ve ever seen.”

The challenge for Warrington is attempting to bowl over a Wigan side that currently have all four available pieces of silverware in their trophy cabinet.

“Wigan have been the benchmark for the last couple of years. We’re trying to knock them off which they’re not going to want us to do, but it’s set up for a magnificent occasion,” he said.

“It does have a Challenge Cup or Grand Final feel about it even though we’re playing for two points, and it’s probably a bit more than two points.”

The Wire met Wigan in last year’s Challenge Cup Final at Wembley and did not do themselves justice on the big stage.

Now they got another shot at their nearest and dearest in Super League’s first ever game on American soil.

“That cup final was a big learning experience. We know we got a few things wrong. We didn’t perform on that day,” said Gleeson.

“We played Wigan a bit later in the season, with no Bevan French in their team, and we fixed a few things up in that game and got the result.

“With the journey we were on last year that was a big learning curve for us. We took a lot out of that and hopefully those learnings we’ll take into this Saturday, which I’m sure we will.

“Wigan are going to have a big say in that and we’ll do what we can to get the result.”

Gleeson is expecting nothing other than a tight contest.

“It’s going to be fine margins, who handles the occasion,” he said.

“They’ve got a lot of talent in their team, as have we. It’s not going to be huge things that make a difference, it’s going to be tiny things – it’s going to come down to who can execute, who can keep going, who can put the most effort in and who wants it more. I certainly hope we tick all those boxes come Saturday.”

Gleeson says the sense of occasion is not lost on him and the players and the significance this involvement in a major spectacle, in tandem with the NRL, can have for Super League as a whole.

“It’s hugely significant. We all watched the Las Vegas games last year with an envious eye. And to be a part of it this year is great for Super League,” he said.

“I think Super League last year and the start of this year has really gone up a level or two.

“The crowds are up and a lot of excitement has been generated around Super League as a competition and this just puts us on the big stage.

“And hopefully it’s the start of something. Hopefully ourselves, Wigan and the NRL clubs can produce the goods on Saturday.

“It’s where you want to be. You want to play in games like this. The Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, it just doesn’t get any better.”

And he reported a real buzz of anticipation as rugby league takes over Vegas for the week.

“When you’re walking down the strip, there’s advertisements and big neon signs with pictures of the NRL players, action shots. It’s just constant,” said Gleeson.

“Even on the news in the morning when you get up and put the TV on. There’s lots of segments of it on there.

“There’s big posters everywhere. You really feel it. There’s that many neon billboards, the TV screen billboards, and it’s just everywhere you look there’s some kind of reminder that the event is on this week.

“We’ve seen a noticeable lift since we’ve been here and an increase day on day, and people arriving at the hotel with all the Aussie NRL jerseys, Wigan and Warrington jerseys.

“And I’m sure that’ll build even more as the week goes on. There’s that kind of carnival-feel about the place which is growing. It’s all set up for a huge event.

“It’s super exciting as a club, for the Super League. It’s really building up now. Every day more and more people are arriving and it’s going to be a great spectacle on a great stage. Can’t wait for it.”