By Martin Morgan

Last updated 12:43, Wednesday, 26 November 2008

Whitehaven will renew rivalry with Steve McCormack’s Widnes Vikings at the Stobbart Stadium on Sunday, January 18.

And boss Ged Stokes believes his team could scarcely face a bigger pre-season test from a Championship rival.

“Widnes will be a benchmark team, there’s no doubt about it,” said Stokes. “But we’ll treat it like we would any other game.

“We are a team of hard workers, not superstars. But along the way, Whitehaven have had some very, very good players.

“Not many teams can boast, like Whitehaven, that so many of the players know each other.”

The clubs are likely to be title rivals next season, and both will be keen to draw first blood in the January clash, Haven’s only friendly on the road, ahead of their Northern Rail Cup campaign.

In March this year, the Vikings edged out Haven 32-28 in front of over 3,500 fans, while the Cumbrians took the return 20-16 at the Recre in August, with over 2,100 in attendance.

Meanwhile, Kiwi Stokes is celebrating New Zealand’s unlikely World Cup final win over red-hot favourites Australia on Saturday.

The ex-international front-rower and former No 2 in the coaching set-up, has spoken to old pal Ruben Wiki, the NZ Warriors legend, who was a trainer with the victorious Kiwis.

“The better team on the day won,” Stokes added. “The improvement through the tournament was there to see. They are pretty happy about it but a bit shocked themselves.

“Australia were not tested before the final, and that probably hurt them. They kept us in the game with their error rate.

“Australia usually wait for the Kiwis to get tired at the end of each half, but that didn’t happen.”

Stokes was impressed with ref Ashley Klein for his sparing use of the whistle, which allowed the game to flow.

“Referees over here need to take a look at that,” he said.