Smith: A Very Good Job
The Wolves won their final pre-season fixture yesterday against Wigan Warriors and Wolves' head of coaching and rugby was pleased with his team's performance with one week until the new SL campaign gets underway.
"I'd like to thank everyone at the club and the volunteers who helped get the field in order for us. It was crucial for us and our campaign, from a coach's perspective it was very important for us in preparing for the new season.
"I thought we did a very good job of it. I was very pleased with many aspects of it, in tough, testing conditions. We showed some smarts about playing in the conditions and in the right part of the field, and we had the right sort of patience most of the time. We made a few errors but I don't mind players going for it. I thought we were really sharp. We've done a lot of work over the last few weeks but last week I saw some great attitude on the training camp. I think being able to do that warm weather training gives you that sharpness. Hopefully we can keep that throughout the season.
"I'm on my toes at the moment because I have a lot of very good players all vying for 17 positions I've got a few headaches over the next few weeks, but good headaches.
"Everyone's come through (todays game) pretty well. I don't think we picked up anything really. Waterhouse missed out on the game with a dead leg that he picked up late in the week in training, he'll be fine for next week. Fingers crossed, aside from Chris Bridge, we are fit and healthy and everybody available, with Chris in touching distance as well."
And on Super Bennie Westwood: "Man of the match again. All he has to do is turn up (laughs)! Bennie's not long been back in full training so for him to go out there and compete in the way that he does speaks volumes for him. But no-one really questions that. The way that he played was tough and honest like he always does, I'm looking forward to him getting better as the year goes on. He's a terrific person and terrific player, and I've seen him evolve as both over the time that I've been in the UK."
Click here for yesterday's match report.
Super League XVIII kicks off for the Wolves in a week's time when Castleford come to The Halliwell Jones Stadium, Sunday 3rd Feb. Match tickets and 2013 Season Tickets are on sale in WolfWare, WolfWare Online and on 08448 11 11 76.
27, Jan, 2013
