Warrington returned to action with a thirty-point win over Hull KR at Headingley Stadium after scoring seven tries and racking up 40 points.
Despite a poor start which saw Ben Crooks score for KR within a minute, Steve Price's team bounced back well, a superb break from Ben Currie setting up Tom Lineham to equalise in the corner. Daryl Clark's short ball landed in the hands of Sitaleki Akauola for his first try of the season before Wire started the second half with a try from Anthony Gelling. Gelling then turned provider for Josh Charnley before a lovely reverse ball from Mike Cooper allowed Stefan Ratchford to set Gareth Widdop free for another try. Ratchford then got himself a try of his own after an error from Adam Quinlan, who scored a consolation for KR late on, but it was Tom Lineham who scored the final try of the evening after a brilliant break from Toby King. Here are my six talking points and player ratings...
1) Style and substance
One of the main criticisms of Steve Price's reign as Warrington coach has been a lack of style, adventure and excitement in the play. Today there was a bit of entertaining play though, with Wire seeing plenty of possession and trying to be a bit more attacking. It didn't always work though, but it was good to see a bit of variety in the play. Both teams tried to be quite off-the-cuff, particularly in the first half, which led to a myriad of handling errors and low completion rates, but it made for an exciting spectacle. Some of Wire's tries were easy on the eye and came from inside their own half, which is very good to see.
2) We need to execute
Wire could have had about fifteen tries today. Gelling threw two balls into touch, Ashton bombed a certain try, Austin threw into touch once, Philbin came agonisingly close to the line and not one of the fifth-play kicks worked out. Putting the finishing touch to moves is crucial against higher standard of opposition, because against the likes of St Helens or Wigan, we won't get the amount of chances that we did today.
3) Talking points
This is the first time Warrington have scored 40 points in 2020. In fact, you have to go back to April 2019 for the last time Wire racked up such a tally, when they put 50 on Huddersfield Giants. The last two matches, separated by five months, have seen Wire score 38 and 40 points respectively, which is encouraging. The attack is starting to click. Yes, both Hull FC and Hull KR defended poorly, but last year we were struggling to score regardless of the opposition's quality.
4) The centre of conversation
It was a real unknown as to whether Anthony Gelling would be considered for selection today, but he started the game at centre and had an interesting evening. He made a disastrous start, turning his back on Hull KR's short kick-off, jumping out of line for the Crooks try, throwing the ball into touch when there was a chance for a try and getting sin-binned. However he improved dramatically in the second half, scoring a try with a fingertip finish and then getting an assist for Charnley, as well as running some hard, fast lines.
5) The full package
It was mentioned in commentary today that Stefan Ratchford is a complete rugby league player. He can play full-back, centre or the halves (in fact he has played all three of those positions just this season) and is equally significant defensively and offensively. He made a sensational try-saving tackle on the brink of half-time to deny a certain score for Hull KR and was influential in the points melee in the second half, scoring a try and contributing to others too, with his passing game and vision. A tremendous rugby league player.
6) The best second
This was the first time Ben Currie and Jack Hughes have played together this season, with the co-captain coming in for his maiden appearance of 2020 after an injury kept Ben Murdoch-Masila out. Both Currie and Hughes had very good games today. Currie came up with an important play, breaking free after a short ball from Widdop to set up Lineham for Wire's first try, and continued to probe in the second half. Hughes' leadership was clearly influential as Wire's discipline was very good, and he showed some terrific hands for the Charnley try. My question is what Steve Price will do about the second row when all three of Currie, Hughes and Murdoch-Masila are available?
Player Ratings
Stefan Ratchford - 9/10
A superb performance from the complete rugby league player. Game-changing tackle before half-time and contributed constantly to the attack in the second half.
Tom Lineham - 8/10
Two tries takes him to six (if you include Toronto) for the season. Defensively was solid with no mistakes and finished off both moves well.
Toby King - 8/10
Becoming a very good Super League centre. Made a couple of mistakes early on but was brilliant from about 20 minutes in and had a hand in a few tries as well as defending really well.
Anthony Gelling - 7/10
Started the game terribly with mistakes in defence and attack but redeemed himself with a try and an assist.
Josh Charnley - 6/10
Another largely quiet outing for Charnley but he did get himself on the scoresheet in the second half. Perhaps could've done better for the first try.
Blake Austin - 6/10
Made some poor mistakes early on including kicking out on the full but grew into the game despite never truly having a great influence on it.
Gareth Widdop - 7/10
Controlled things well in the attack in the second half in particular, scoring a try and starting off the move for the Lineham score.
Chris Hill - 8/10
Fantastic discipline and work-rate from the co-captain as Wire dominated the pack.
Daryl Clark - 6/10
One of Clark's less impressive games with one or two uncharacteristic errors, although got an assist for the Akauola try.
Mike Cooper - 8/10
Like Hill, helped Wire dominate the forwards battle. Got a few nice offloads away too.
Ben Currie - 9/10
Superb performance. Got an assist after a terrific run for the first try and was unlucky not to have a few more. Chose his lines well.
Jack Hughes - 8/10
Great to see him back in the team and making a difference. Superb hands for the Charnley try and got through the full 80.
Jason Clark - 7/10
Went about his work quietly but was error-free and made one particularly good offload in the second half.
Joe Philbin - 7/10
Provided plenty of go-forward and was a bit unlucky not to have a try or two of his own.
Sitaleki Akauola - 7/10
Bagged his first try of 2020 with a storming run in his first stint.
Danny Walker - 8/10
Played some cute passes from dummy-half and carries threatening pace.
Matty Ashton - 5/10
Really should've had a try on his return. Will be interesting to see whether he's used from the bench again in the future.
Daniel
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