Smith: Dangerous Team
Wolves' head of coaching and rugby Tony Smith reflects on last week's win over Hull FC and ahead to his team's upcoming game against the side from East Hull this Sunday. Plus the all-important injury news.
On last weekend's game he said: "It was a hard fought first half and I thought both teams performed pretty solid Rugby League; it was nip and tuck with good hard defence making it difficult to break each other down. A few of our players were probably just a little off their best in the first half and there wasn't quite the spring in their step that they usually have but in the second half we found a way to lift, and we lifted across the board. We talked about it at half time and felt that which ever team was able to lift a bit would come away with the spoils and fortunately it was us that found that first."
With a few names out of the line-up last week it was good to still get the win under our belts.
"I haven't made too much of that because I think the people who are in there and have been in there are quality players; whether they are old or young, if they've got 300 games under their belt or 30 I think they are doing a pretty good job. That's the test for us this year and we'll get tested at different stages. Unfortunately at the moment we are picking up a few injuries early in the season to some well-known and very capable players but we've got some good young players coming in who are doing a good job when they are given their opportunity. That's what we expected and we feel they were ready for it. I'm excited that some of these young lads are getting a chance."
With the likes of Bridge, Briers, Morley and Harrison already on the injury list the hard fought win on Saturday added another to the sidelines.
"We've got a few bumps and bruises from last week's game. We'll be running our eye over a few players later in the week but one definite one to be out is Joel Monaghan he won't make game-day this week but hopefully it will only be a week or two. He's got a strain in his abdominal muscle but hopefully that will settle down fairly quickly. This means we are bringing Rhys Williams back from Salford where he's been on loan. Rhys is in a unique situation where he could get to play Hull KR twice in a row."
Looking ahead to Sunday's trip to Craven Park Tony says: "They'll be smarting, Hull KR, after last weekend. They are a dangerous team with plenty of try scoring ability. We'll have to be right on our best defence as well as hopefully put on some good attack. They've got plenty of threats across the park. They've got a big pack of forwards and some talented halfbacks and outside backs. There are a lot of dangers, you only have to go and look at their point scoring tally to see how dangerous they are. We'll have to take care of a number of players; we'll have to be good right across the board."
Stepping away from the Wolves looking back at last week's World Club Challenge he said: "It was a terrific game, really entertaining and close. Both teams had their opportunities. It was a great advertisement for the game of Rugby League and was credit to both teams. Those are the sorts of games we would all love to be involved in and are striving to for in the future but it was Leeds turn, again (laughs), it's now about time for someone else to work their way in there and have a go at that as well! Leeds did themselves credit but I think Melbourne also showed what a class team they are. Most people admire both for the way they played that game."
Match tickets for Sunday's game are on sale in WolfWare, at WolfWare Online and on 08448 11 11 76 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
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27, Feb, 2013
