Warrington sack three players: Rugby League
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Your support makes all the difference.Warrington Wolves have reacted to their dismal start to the season by sacking three players and have suspended Iestyn Harris, the Great Britain stand-off, while they investigate the allegations.
A Challenge Cup defeat by Salford, followed by a 58-20 thrashing at Bradford in the opening Super League match last Friday, have cost Martin Dermott, Willie Swann and Mateaki Mafi their futures at the club.
"We have told them to find themselves other clubs, because we just don't think they are up to Super League standard," John Smith, the Warrington chief executive, said.
All three are relatively recent arrivals at Wilderspool. Mafi was signed from rugby union in Tonga 15 months ago, Swann came from the Auckland Warriors midway through last season and Dermott was bought from Wigan this winter.
Warrington have decided that Dermott, a former Great Britain hooker, is not fit enough. Mafi, a winger and former Olympic sprinter, was exposed defensively on Friday, and Swann has been a disappointment at scrum-half.
"There is no point soldiering on if they are not up to the mark," Smith said. "We will give some of the young lads out of the second team a chance."
Harris has been suspended for 48 hours while the club looks into claims that he was seen playing football last week, despite pulling out of Friday's side with a calf injury.
In a busy day at Wilderspool, the long-serving second-rower, Paul Cullen, has been appointed assistant coach to John Dorahy.
Warrington have also admitted making "a tentative inquiry" about Shaun Edwards, who wants to leave Wigan for the London Broncos in order to be near his girlfriend and their expected son. Wigan, who have made a similar enquiry about Harris - who wants a transfer to St Helens - say that Edwards has been made available on compassionate grounds, but they expect a fee for him.
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