June 2007
30th June. Catalans 24 Warrington 22 Younes Khattabi, David Ferriol, Justin Wilson, Casey McGuire and Jason Croker crossed for Catalans, while Kevin Penny and Lee Briers (2) scored for Wolves. Briers also kicked five goals but a fine individual display was not enough against a committed Catalans pack. The victory took the French side up to eighth in Super League as Warrington remained third from bottom, three points above basement side Salford. Briers' fifth goal shaved the deficit to two points with 12 minutes remaining, and his high kick nearly set up a late win, only for teenage winger Chris Riley to lose the ball as he stretched for the line. Scores Catalans Tries: Khattabi, Ferriol, Wilson, McGuire, Croker Goals: Bosc (2) Warrington Tries: Penny, Briers (2) Goals: Briers (5) Squads;Catalans: Bentley, Bosc, Chan, Croker, Fellous, Ferriol, Gossard, Greenshields, Griffi, Guisset, Jones, Khattabi, McGuire, Mogg, Mounis, Murphy, Quigley, Raguin, Touxagas, Wilson. Warrington: Fa'afili, Grose, Bridge, Briers, Leikvoll, Clarke, Rauhihi, Morley, Westwood, Mark Gleeson, Parker, Wood, Sullivan, Grix, Bracek, Wainwright, Riley, Penny. Ht 10-12. Attn 8,850
Head Coach Paul Cullen has named his 18-man squad to face Catalan Dragons in Round 18 at Stade Gilbert Brutus in Perpignan on Saturday night.
2 Henry Fa'afili
5 Brent Grose
6 Chris Bridge
7 Lee Briers
8 Chris Leikvoll
9 Jon Clarke
10 Paul Rauhihi
11 Adrian Morley
12 Ben Westwood
14 Mark Gleeson
15 Rob Parker
16 Paul Wood
17 Mike Sullivan
20 Simon Grix
23 Mike Wainwright
24 Chris Riley
26 Kevin Penny
28th June.Chris Bridge is expected to rejoin the first team squad for the trip to France as a centre. He is expected to replace Paul Johnson who furthet aggrevated the back injury he picked up in Cardiff during the game against Wakefield Trinity. Chris was taken out of the team after suffering from numerous injuries and Paul Cullen opted to remove the player from the fray to give him a chance to get over the constant problems. Speaking to the Warrington Guardian .Paul Cullen said " "He has to be," said the Wolves boss. "Option A is to leave Brent Grose at full back and put Chris Bridge to left centre. "Option B meant moving Brent Grose to left centre, Chris Riley to full back and Richie Barnett to right wing but I just think that there are too many changes there in a side that is missing some senior three-quarters anyway. "It is good to have Chris back and he has been a breath of fresh air. "He missed seven weeks flat out from when we played at Bradford and we're very aware that you can't force seven weeks into seven days and get a player completely match fit, back to his best and peaking. "But he's got great talent and great speed and we've got to be able to work him through the game and look after him. "He's medically as fit as he's been since before Wigan in round one, and he's enjoying the fact that he can do a week's training without limping on to the field and crawling off after it." Speaking of the last meeting between the two sides when Catalan ran out 27-16 winners Cullen said" "They got on top of our inexperienced pack and Stacey Jones and Casey McGuire ran amok on the back of it. We're determined not to let that happen again."
Mike Wainwright will not be getting a new contract at the end of the year, Mike made his first-team debut in 1994 and has played 228 games for the club either side of a three-year spell at Salford. he told the Warrington Guardiian,"I'm grateful that they've told me early. Obviously I've been here a long time but it's time for a new direction for the club and for me." There are a total of nine players at the club who are looking to renew contracts at the club form will obviously play a part in who satys and who goes. Cullen said "If the club cannot put a contract in front of a player at this momefit in time, for whatever reason, that's either because the club are not happy with the current league position or form, budget requirements or the club are planning to recruit players for next year. "Whatever those reasons are, all those players and coaching staff who are out of contract are free to look elsewhere or get your contract here at Warring-ton. It's a very open and honest policy. "We are bringing in back rowers for next year as proven with Louis Anderson and we've got some young players that we'd like to push through, so there are no distractions regardless of where players and coaching staff are going to be next year. Our focus is getting through preparations for the Catalan game and getting a win".
Adrian Morley is hoping to improve his form for the Wire after a very good game against France as the GB captain, He said "Being Great Britain captain was everything I expected and more," he said. "I don't score that many for Great Britain so it was nice to score the try but the main thing was that we got the result. It was a fantastic week, it was really enjoyable and I certainly got plenty out of it. "I've not been pleased with my form for Warrington and hopefully I'll use it to kick on my season with them and well get a bit of form together." "Without a doubt we're still looking at top four," he said. "Super League's that compressed so with a couple of wins we'll be right up there. "Everyone knows we've been struggling but there were some good signs against Wakefield and hopefully we'll kick on now and start racking up the two points. "Confidence is low but there's nothing like a win to boost that. "There's four games before the Challenge Cup semi finals and we'll be looking to win all of them."
27th June.Head Coach Paul Cullen has named his 19 man squad to face Catalan Dragons in Round 18 at Stade Gilbert Brutus in Perpignan on Saturday night.
2 Henry Fa'afili
5 Brent Grose
6 Chris Bridge
7 Lee Briers
8 Chris Leikvoll
9 Jon Clarke
10 Paul Rauhihi
11 Adrian Morley
12 Ben Westwood
14 Mark Gleeson
15 Rob Parker
16 Paul Wood
17 Mike Sullivan
20 Simon Grix
21 Andrew Bracek
22 Ben Harrison
23 Mike Wainwright
24 Chris Riley
26 Kevin Penny.
21st June .Wire have signed Manly utility back Chris Hicks on a two-year deal.The 30-year-old player will join the club in time for the 2008 season.Chris Hicks is an Australian rugby league player. He currently plays for the Manly Sea Eagles on the wing, in the National Rugby League competition. His Previous team was the Penrith Panthers. He is also a prominent goal kicker.The 30-year-old joins Manly team-mate Michael Monaghan in moving to the Wolves for next season. "It is in reality the last contract I will probably receive and I am devastated to be leaving but I couldn't knock back the offer," Hicks said. "I am determined to win a (NRL) premiership ring with my mates come September," added the Australian.
Chris Bridge will need more games to get match fit after playing for the under21's against Wakefield in the 28-22 win, he felt as though he had been hit by a bus after the game. Coach Cullen said " he is well and truly back in the fold and enjoying his training. Simon Grix is on his way back tothe senior squad after completing 80 minutes.
Stuart Reardon, Vinnie Anderson and Martin Gleeson could be back for the Catalan game in France if not then a week later
20th June. Warrington Wolves can confirm that Head of Conditioning Paul Darbyshire has parted company to join Munster Rugby Union Club in the Magners League as Head of Fitness and Conditioning.Warrington Wolves can confirm that Head of Conditioning Paul Darbyshire has parted company to join Munster Rugby Union Club in the Magners League as Head of Fitness and Conditioning.Paul has spent 18 years with the Wolves having signed as a player in 1988 before moving into Coaching and Conditioning in 1997.The Club would like to take this opportunity to thank Paul for his years of service and wish him luck in his new endeavours.Head Coach Paul Cullen commented, "I'm very disappointed to lose such a loyal servant to the club, a very good coach and conditioner and also a good mate."Source wolfweb
17th June.Warrington 31 Wakefield 12. A dour game which Wire deserved to win, patches of play good interlaced with mediocre both sides seemed more determined not to lose than win. Said coach Cullen after the game: "We have kept our heads down and worked hard. The players have been professional and patient and defensively I could see what we have been doing."Our 85% completion rate in the second half took the game away from Wakefield."Our two young wingers Kevin Penny and Chris Riley are giving everything they have got. They are quick, sharp and very focused and not daunted by anything."
Scores:Warrington: (12) 31 Tries: Clarke, Leikvoll, Riley 2, Grose Goals: Briers 5 Drop: Briers. Wakefield: (6) 12 Tries: Catic, Pryce Goals: Ferres 2.
Squads:Warrington: Grose, Riley, Johnson, Fa'afili, Penny, Clarke, Briers, Wood, M. Gleeson, Morley, Wainwright, Parker, Westwood. Replacements: Sullivan, Bracek, Rauhihi, Leikvoll.
Wakefield: Blaymire, Pryce, Demetriou, Atkins, White, Jeffries, P. March, Watene, Obst, Bibey, Elima, Golden, Ferres. Replacements: Moore, Latu, Sculthorpe, Catic. Attn 10,342.
16th June.Head Coach Paul Cullen has named his 18 man squad to engage Super League Round 17 v Wakefield Trinity Wildcats on Sunday 17th June, kick off 3pm at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.
2 Henry Fa'afili
4 Paul Johnson
5 Brent Grose
7 Lee Briers
8 Chris Leikvoll
9 Jon Clarke
10 Paul Rauhihi
11 Adrian Morley
12 Ben Westwood
14 Mark Gleeson
15 Rob Parker
16 Paul Wood
17 Mike Sullivan
19 Steve Pickersgill
21 Andrew Bracek
23 Mike Wainwright
24 Chris Riley
26 Kevin Penny
15th June.Head Coach Paul Cullen has named his 20 man squad to engage Super League Round 17 v Wakefield Trinity Wildcats on Sunday 17th June, kick off 3pm at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.
2 Henry Fa'afili
4 Paul Johnson
5 Brent Grose
7 Lee Briers
8 Chris Leikvoll
9 Jon Clarke
10 Paul Rauhihi
11 Adrian Morley
12 Ben Westwood
14 Mark Gleeson
15 Rob Parker
16 Paul Wood
17 Mike Sullivan
19 Steve Pickersgill
20 Simon Grix
21 Andrew Bracek
22 Ben Harrison 23
Mike Wainwright 24
Chris Riley
26 Kevin Penny
Speaking about the recent Challenge Cup defeat at St Helens Paul Cullen said: "The sense of disappointment on Saturday was absolutely massive. We don't kid ourselves, we went to St Helens to win the game. "The goal is now very simple to get out of the bottom font. One win hopefully gets you to the top six, two wins hopefully get you to the top four and you mount the fight from there onwards. "We haven't lost focus, we refuse to be derailed or distract-ed from our goal and our mission. "They really all are games we need to win now. The St Helens match was and not particularly for the reasons that some people might think. "We know full well that the pressure mounts. There's no blind denial. "We're fully aware of what our situation is and we're desperate to get some reward for all the hard work we're putting in to our training sessions and hopefully our performances." Chris Leikvoll (Achilles) is a doubt for the Wakefield game and no risks will be taken with his fitness, . Vinnie Anderson (back) and Stuart Reardon (knee) remain out as well as Martin Gleeson, who has now found out his knee injury is related to bone rather than a ligament problem. The 3 players are aiming to be back for the trip to Catalans Dragons on June 30.
Chris Bridge and Simon Grix are on their way back to first team action , Bridge is slowly shaking off a myriad of injuries and is goping to play for the under 21's against Wakefield at Wilderspool on Saturday at 2.30pm. Simon Grix will be playing his third game after coming back from a shoulder operation.Paul Cullen said: "Chris Bridge has a chance of playing in our under 21s on Saturday. "We think he's made sufficient progress, although we'll assess that this week. "Simon Grix certainly needs more game time under his belt to get himself back up to match fitness and Chris Bridge needs to be given a little bit more time to get himself back up to the standard he achieved before Wigan in round one. "Simon Grix is a game or two away in the under 21s. There's a very conscious effort to get him back up to speed as quickly as we possibly can. "That might just relieve some of the pressure that we've put on Jon Clarke, which he has shouldered magnificently, and get him back in his rightful position. That also applies to Chris Bridge."
Don't Panic no not the Hitchkikers Guide to the Galaxy but the Wire financial backer Simon Moran's words "slightly edited for effect" spoken at the Fans forum, although the club have only won two games from their last ten the clubs board do not wish to add further pressure to coach Paul Cullen, Moran said: "I think we're in a bad position but Paul would be the first to say that. "No-one's saying we're pleased with the position we're in. We're monitoring it. "Paul's contracted to the end of the year and we need to do better than we are doing. It's as simple as that. "I don't think he's getting any pressure from the board but he's obviously feeling a lot of pressure, as anyone would be in that position. "We have to maximise results, so continuing exerting pressure is not the way to get that."Simon Moran is sure that Wire can break into the top four on a regular basis . He said: "I think we can, I hope we can and we'll try our best to. We've got a good shot. "It's taken longer than we'd hoped but we're going to keep trying. "I just want the club to do well. We can't win everything every year because there's only two trophies but at least we have a realistic chance and that's a good position to be in." Andy Gatcliffe added that the situation had been discussed by the board but pnic measures was not the way to go but results obviously had to improve. "Whatever you do in any business, you don't do things rashly and quickly," he said. "You've got to make sure you judge the situation correctly. If you take your time to make a decision that's all right providing you are making the right decision for the right reason. "Whatever we do, we always do it for the long-term benefit of the club. "How long do we give it? If you look at the Harlequins game, a number of fans were giving their message, throwing season tickets on to the pitch. "I think it was the Saints game when a fan took off his shirt and threw it on to the pitch. "Frustration is there. We all feel that but you can't say, 'That's it, we now change'. "Sometimes you have to persevere and in doing so find yourselves getting over that hurdle and then things come good." He further commented "We are going through a bad patch at the moment but we're going to persevere through it. "How long will that be? Time will tell but at the moment we're focusing on this Sunday, we're focusing on Wakefield and we want to win that game. We're then going to focus on the next one and so on. "I'm not going to stand here and make a commitment, be it for next year, four years or five years. "I want to see some wins on the pitch and things will change from that I'm sure. "We're not where we want to be and therefore we're looking for immediate improvement, starting on Sunday. "We want to win on Sunday."
13th June.JON CLARKE has been named in the Frontline Great Britain v France Test on the 22nd June at Headingley. This will be Jon's first call up in to the Great Britain squad alongside newly named Great Britain Captain team mate ADRIAN MORLEY.
9th June Warrington forward Adrian Morley will captain Great Britain for the first time in their Test against France. GB coach Tony Smith has decided to rest Jamie Peacock, skipper last season, for the one-off encounter at Headingley Carnegie on Friday, June 22. "Leading the team out will be the highlight of my career so far," said Morley, a Grand Final winner in both England and Australia. Morley, 30, made his GB debut in 1996 and has 26 caps. "The game will be extra special for a number of reasons," he added. "It will be the first time I've represented Great Britain against France, the first time I've played a Test match at Headingley Carnegie, and of course the first time I've captained the side." The match will be Smith's first in charge following his appointment as successor to Brian Noble in March. Morley was critical at the time of the decision to name an Australian as head coach, but Smith is in no doubt that Morley is the right man to lead the team on Friday. "Adrian fits the bill perfectly, having represented his country on many occasions with great esteem," said Smith. He always takes great pride in wearing the Lions jersey and is always bursting to play for the national side." Leeds Rhinos coach Smith, who names his squad on Tuesday, will rest a number of senior players for the fixture. But with Morley missing a lengthy period of the current season with facial injuries, Smith feels the prop is fresh enough to play. "A few players who have played back-to-back rugby for the last few seasons will be missing from the squad," said Smith. "The likes of Stuart Fielden, Paul Sculthorpe and Jamie Peacock will all sit out the game so they can recharge their batteries and be ready for this autumn's Test series against New Zealand. "Although Adrian has played in the last few Gillette Tri-Nations, the injuries he suffered at the start of this season mean he is still fresh. "I'm sure he'll take great pride in leading out his country and will set the standards for the other players." Whether Morley will skipper the side for the Test matches against New Zealand remains to be seen. Morley is currently in his first season back in Super League after six years in Australia with the Sydney City Roosters. The forward appeared in three Grand Finals in Australia, collecting a winner's medal in 2002. Morley also won the English Grand Final during a short spell with the Bradford Bulls in 2005. The Salford-born forward has a fearsome on-field reputation and was dismissed after 12 seconds of a Test match against Australia in 2003 for a high tackle on Robbie Kearns. bbc
St Helens 25 Warrington 14 . Warrington coach Paul Cullen on losing Morley:"It certainly tested our character and I thought the way the players responded was absolutely magnificent. To suffer that and go in front at half-time was certainly remarkable. "The guys refused to give in. I thought defensively it was a massive effort. We were a couple of players short of achieving our goal. "We came here to win the game - that was very evident about the way we went about our business - and we're gutted that we're going home without it."
Scorers,St Helens (4) 25
Tries: Gilmour (2), Talau, Gardner, Roby
Goals: Wellens (2)
Drops: LongWarrington (12) 14
Tries: Penny, Fa'afili
Goals: Briers (3)Attn 8,503Squads.St Helens 1 Paul Wellens, 2 Ade Gardner, 3 Matt Gidley, 4 Willie Talau, 5 Francis Meli, 6 Leon Pryce, 7 Sean Long, 8 Nick Fozzard, 9 Keiron Cunningham, 10 Jason Cayless, 11 Lee Gilmour, 12 Jon Wilkin, 22 Paul Clough. Subs: 14 James Roby, 17 James Graham, 18 Bryn Hargreaves, 23 Maurie Fa'asavalu
Warrington:5 Brent Grose, 26 Kevin Penny, 4 Paul Johnson, 2 Henry Fa'afili, 24 Chris Riley, 9 Jon Clarke, 7 Lee Briers, 16 Paul Wood, 14 Mark Gleeson, 11 Adrian Morley, 12 Ben Westwood, 15 Rob Parker, 23 Mike Wainwright. Subs: 17 Mike Sullivan, 21 Andrew Bracek, 10 Paul Rauhihi, 19 Steve Pickersgill
7th June.Head Coach Paul Cullen has named his 18 man squad to face St Helens in the Carnegie Challenge Cup Quarter Final match on Saturday 9th June at Knowsley Road, 12.15pm kick off on BBC.
2 Henry Fa'afili
4 Paul Johnson
5 Brent Grose
7 Lee Briers
8 Chris Leikvoll
9 Jon Clarke
10 Paul Rauhihi
11 Adrian Morley
12 Ben Westwood
14 Mark Gleeson
15 Rob Parker
16 Paul Wood
17 Mike Sullivan
19 Steve Pickersgill
21 Andrew Bracek
23 Mike Wainwright
24 Chris Riley
26 Kevin Penny
Defence and less errors is the key to beating St Helens Speaking to the Warrington Guardian Paul Cullen said "Although we have shown we can open up and score against any side in the competition, we've got to be better between those periods. "That's where you lose your energy and confidence in game time, it's one or two taking too many gambles with the ball in positions that don't really benefit us and that's where we've got to be smarter and tougher. "Without a shadow of a doubt we will need our best defensive performance of the season. "With all the will in the world and even the most positive of individuals, we simply won't expect that there will be a nil next to the St Helens scoreline at the end of the game at the weekend. ''But we can take confidence from the fact that we haven't buckled in the past few weeks. "We haven't clammed up to five and kick and hoped the other team is going to make mistakes. You certainly can't gamble and plan for that. "Our plan is to create a game plan where we can open up and score tries. "Then we've got to work harder than we've worked all season to make sure that we don't give them the ball back and don't offer cheap scoring chances. They're good enough to create them even when you're defending very well."
6th June. Head Coach Paul Cullen has named his 20 man squad to face St Helens in the Carnegie Challenge Cup Quarter Final match on Saturday 9th June at Knowsley Road, 12.15pm kick off on BBC.
2 Henry Fa'afili
3 Martin Gleeson
4 Paul Johnson
5 Brent Grose
7 Lee Briers
8 Chris Leikvoll
9 Jon Clarke
10 Paul Rauhihi
11 Adrian Morley
12 Ben Westwood
14 Mark Gleeson
15 Rob Parker
16 Paul Wood
17 Mike Sullivan
19 Steve Pickersgill
20 Simon Grix
21 Andrew Bracek
23 Mike Wainwright
24 Chris Riley
26 Kevin Penny
5th June. "Vinnie Anderson has almost no chance of being available and Martin Gleeson's prospects are slim," said coach Paul Cullen. "If we can get Martin anywhere near fit, then we will play him in this game," said Cullen. "We won't save him for Wakefield the following week. "The Challenge Cup is very, very important to us, it's as important as our League position. We do not have the luxury of resting players and, if we did, we wouldn't do it any way. "We will go as strong as we possibly can, as we have done in every game that we've played. "St Helens have earned the right to rest players, whether they've got injured players or they're simply resting them. It's their privilege. They've earned that right to do so because they've got points on the League table."
Mike Cooper is targeting Boxing Day for his return to the game after his recent broken leg. He is pleased with the support he has received,He said "I was amazed by the support that everyone has shown to me and my family during that tough week. I would like to send a big thank you to everyone who emailed and sent cards and to let them know that I am doing fine now. " I had emails from fans from all over the world from different clubs, their kind words were a comfort to my parents and family during the week that I was in intensive care."
2nd June. Leeds 42 Warrington 26. Last nights game whilst not the result we wanted was an improvement on the form shown during the St Helens game, the commitment was there and the fact that we were missing key players yet again though injury were certainly mitigating circumstances. Apart from the three tries from Henry Fa'afilli ably assisted by Lee Briers the stand out player for me was Kevin Penny who showed some nice turns of speed especially for the last try when he run 70 mtrs to score an excellent try.
Cull said."We'll take an awful lot of positives about the way we set about our business into the St Helens game next weekend. "The performances are getting better, the results are going to come and I'm thoroughly enjoying everything that we do. "That's the only way to go about it. It's a challenge, it's exciting and it's been a great week's work in getting the team prepared to produce a performance of that standard."
Scorers; Leeds: Tries: Senior, Webb 2, Penalty, McGuire, Toopi, Kirke Goals: Sinfield 7 Warrington: Tries: Fa'afili 3, Penny 2 Goals: Briers 3 .
Squads; Leeds: Webb, Donald, Toopi, Senior, Smith, McGuire, Burrow, Peacock, Sinfield, Bailey, Jones-Buchanan, Kirke, Ellis. Replacements: Tansey, Thackray, Leuluai, Ablett.
Warrington: Grose, Riley, Fa'afili, Johnson, Penny, Clarke, Briers, Wood, M. Gleeson, Morley, Westwood, Wainwright, Parker. Replacements: Rauhihi, Sullivan, Pickersgill, Bracek. HT 24-14 Attd 15,873
1st June.Head Coach Paul Cullen has named his 18 man squad to face Leeds Rhinos at Headlingley on Friday night in Round 16 in engage Super League XII.
2 Henry Fa'afili
4 Paul Johnson
5 Brent Grose
7 Lee Briers
9 Jon Clarke
10 Paul Rauhihi
11 Adrian Morley
12 Ben Westwood
14 Mark Gleeson
15 Rob Parker
16 Paul Wood
17 Mike Sullivan
19 Steve Pickersgill
20 Simon Grix
21Andrew Bracek
23 Mike Wainwright
24 Chris Riley
26 Kevin Penny
INJURIES 1 Stuart Reardon knee injury sustained in Round 14 v Harlequins, 19th May will undergo surgery on today .
3 Martin Gleeson knee injury sustained in Round 15 v St Helens, 28th May
6 Chris Bridge is currently out with numerous injuries to his ankles, groin, hamstring and back, his recovery is on going.
8 Chris Leikvoll Achilles sustained in Round 15 v St Helens, 28th May
13 Vinnie Anderson back injury sustained in Round 15 v St Helens, 28th May
25 Mike Cooper fractured tibia and fibula injured 5th May U18s v Salford City Reds
U21s
18 Richie Barnett 22 Ben Harrison