Sunday Best: Wolves lick their wounds after early thrashing
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.This is not the way it was supposed to be for Warrington. They have been many people's choice as the club from outside Super League's inner circle most likely to break through and have a shot at winning it.
With a much stronger squad than last season, the Wolves were widely expected to trample Salford at the Halliwell Jones Stadium last Sunday but they were thrashed 24-6. Three new signings - Stuart Reardon, Paul Rauhihi and Rob Parker - picked up injuries that rule them out of today's visit to Huddersfield.
"The Salford game was an expensive fixture for us," says their coach, Paul Cullen, with some understatement. Reardon, the former Bradford and Great Britain winger, is the most seriously hurt. A broken bone in his hand will keep him out for six weeks, although Cullen has a replacement in Richie Barnett, signed from Hull at the end of last season. Rauhihi, a Tri-Nations winner with New Zealand, has a hamstring problem. Parker, another Bradford recruit, turned an ankle. Lee Briers and Chris Leikvoll are doubtful with knee and neck injuries respectively.
It all adds up to a demanding afternoon for the Wolves against a Giants side who performed creditably in a 20-12 defeat at Leeds in their opening fixture. Like Warrington, they have invested heavily, notably bringing in Robbie Paul, whose half-back partnership with Chris Thorman already shows signs of being highly effective.
Also today, Hull, so ruthless in their opening-night defeat of Castleford, host Wakefield, who led for much of the game against Bradford before losing 20-14. It is a quick reunion with his old team-mates for Sid Domic, who joined Hull from Trinity and made an impressive debut, scoring a try and setting up another last Friday.
Wakefield have strengthened, too, bringing in seasoned forwards such as Monty Betham and Ned Catic. It says something about their ambition that they were annoyed rather than encouraged by a narrow loss to the champions.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments