November 2002

28th November. The new rules will mean a change of tactics in Super League says Wire coach Paul Cullen,The decision to allow 12 interchanges will mean bigger players running harder but on the field for less time whilst smaller players will no longer be able to target large tired players to run at, there will also be a greater need for utility players. Cullen Said "The rule changes will affect my choice of substitutes,from now on you will not necessarily need the fittest guys on the bench you can be position specific and utility players will have much greater value.Therefore Iam going to have to change the way I coach certain players.

Paul has mixed feelings about the rule changes "I agree with the principle of 12 substitutes because it will stop the abuse of the blood bin as in minor cuts and abrasions,however I do not like it because it detracts from the fitness element required in Rugby League and the ability of players to play when they are tired,I prefer six from four but if twelve from four is played at international level then that should be the case at club level.The knock on rule change clears up a grey area because if a player is not in control of the ball and goes into a tackle accidental knock ons should not count,the dead ball rule should have stayed as it takes skill to judge the ball dead with one foot over the line.

Warrington's traditional Good Friday fixture with Widnes Vikings has been replaced by Wakefield Trinity, April 18th Easter Monday will see Wire away to St Helens.

27th November.Jerome Guisset joins Lee Briers as the only Warrington players to represent their country against New Zealand this year,Jerome has been named in the French team to play The Kiwis at Perpignon this Saturday.

25th November.Huddersfield will entertain Warrington in the first round of SL V111on Saturday February 22nd 6.05 ko Sky TV .

Other games Friday 22nd February St Helens vs Bradford 8pm ko Sky TV; Sunday 23rd February Castleford v Wigan 3.30; Leeds vs Widnes 3.00 ko ; London vs Halifax 3.00 ko ;Wakefield Trinity vs Hull 3.30 ko.

21st November.December 5th is the day Warrington fans will be waiting for,on this day the final decision will be taken on the new stadium .Councillors have called a special meeting to discuss the final layout which include a Tesco store car park and petrol station.A full report can be found here next week. Other news, the Wire have offered Hooker Mark Gleeson a contract ,Gleeson left the Wire part way through his contract last year to visit family and friends in Australia where he spent a lot of his childhood,he has returned to the club who held his registration and after impressing in training he has been taken on.He is Paul Cullens fifth signing at the club joining Warren Stevens, Mike Wainwright, Brent Grose and Ian Sibbet ,Gleeson will be expected to compete with Jon Clarke and Gary Hulse for the hooking spot next term.

Gleeson will be able to get to know his new teammates in two friendlies that the Wire have arranged ,they will play Widnes on Boxing Day at the Halton Stadium kick off 3pm, Whilst Leigh will be the visitors to Wilderspool on Sunday January 5th kick off 3pm,tickets for both will be on sale shortly.

Warrington supporters trust and squad builder scheme members have announced that they are raising £ 12,000 a year, which sponsors young Warrington Wolves players and also helps the development of the game in the community.A cheque for £500 was presented to Woolston Rovers ARLFC to help fund temporary changing rooms and accomodation following the recent fire which gutted their facilities.

Kevin Tamati who starred for New Zealand and Warrington in the 80's has decided to call it a day and go home, Stocken Heath based Tamati who has coached Salford and Whitehaven and who recently has been taxi driving for a living played 25 minutes at prop for Warrington Rugby Union team at the weekend said " My house is on the market and I will be going home to New Zealand when it is sold, I had a run out in Union with Warrington RU ,League is too tough for me now so I am having a swan song in the other code .I sure we all wish him well in whatever he decides to do.

10th November.Lee Briers has become Warrington's second player to captain club and country when he captained Wales against the Kiwis at the Millenium Stadium Cardiff ,he follows Mike Gregory who captained Great Britain in test victories over Australia in 1989 and 1990,Lee wasn't so fortunate as Wales were beaten 50-22.Briers who is based in St Helens extended his Wire contract by 3 years last August set up two tries for Wales and also kicked 3 goals,Lee has amassed 1000 points for the Wire since joining Warrington from the Saints in 1997 for £55,000 ,Lee was also named away player of the year for the fourth year on the run by the Wires senior supporters club members.