Wire made it two wins from two to start the season with an excellent victory at home to Castleford on Thursday night.
Daryl Powell made changes to the side that played Leeds, with the injured Daryl Clark and Connor Wrench dropping out, as well as the suspended Oliver Holmes. Powell's lineup to take on his former club included Danny Walker from the start, as well as the returns of Toby King and Jack Hughes from injury. Also dropping out was Mike Cooper through illness, which meant that we only had three backs on the bench - Josh Thewlis filling the interchanges with Ellis Longstaff in the second row. Castleford started well and had Wire under the pump before Matty Ashton raced away with an interception try for his first of the season, soon to be added to by George Williams, who combined with half-back partner Gareth Widdop. Castleford got one back early in the second half through Derrell Olpherts, before Josh Charnley finished well in the corner to restore Wire's advantage. Next, Robbie Mulhern scored his first ever Wire try after a nice drop-off ball from Williams, before Peter Mata'utia opened his account too, capitalising on an error and kicking forward to score. Jake Trueman got one back for Cas but Wire had the final say, Charnley crossing for his fourth of the season after collecting a Williams kick to wrap up a very comfortable victory. Here are my six talking points...
1) Much more like it
That was better! Wire were completely dominant despite missing Daryl Clark and Mike Cooper, taking Castleford apart with an attractive, exciting display of rugby that lasted the full 80. Two wins from two - in differing circumstances - is a great start to 2022.
2) Prince George
A brilliant performance from half-back George Williams, who ran riot against Castleford with a try and two assists. The former Canberra man was dominant in the middle of the park and his clever tactical plays kept the Tigers on the back foot.
3) On the Rob
This was easily Robbie Mulhern's best Warrington performance so far. He led the forward pack in the absence of Cooper, got a try of his own from a barnstorming run onto the ball too.
4) The centre man
Peter Mata'utia got Sky's Man of the Match award and deservedly so. He ran hard, defended well, provided an option and got his maiden try.
5) An attractive proposition
Two games in, and Wire are already much better to watch than we have been for the last four years. The brand of football is much more exciting and Powell has implemented noticeable changes early on.
6) Don't get carried away
But... it's only two games, against a 12-man Leeds and a terrible Cas side. Our next task is to continue this form in the next few matches - against the two French teams and St Helens.
Player Ratings
Stefan Ratchford - 7.5/10
Yet again, a professional performance. Offering plenty in attack at the minute.
Matty Ashton - 7/10
Excellent awareness for the interception. Quiet game otherwise.
Toby King - 6/10
Good metre-making but a pretty standard first game back.
Peter Mata'utia - 8/10
Really good, played so well as alluded to earlier.
Josh Charnley - 8/10
Two great tries. Four scores already this season, he is a huge beneficiary of Powell's changes.
Gareth Widdop - 7.5/10
Much better than last week, defended well and set up the second try with some mazy running.
George Williams - 8/10
Very good indeed. Scored and assisted twice.
Joe Philbin - 6/10
Not amazing but reasonable enough.
Danny Walker - 7/10
Impresses me every time he plays lately.
Robbie Mulhern - 8/10
His best Wire performance to date.
Ben Currie - 7/10
Solid. Hopefully not a serious injury.
Ellis Longstaff - 6/10
Not great, fumbled the ball for Trueman's try.
Jason Clark - 7/10
Came up with a try-saving tackle on Edwards.
Joe Bullock - 7/10
A few errors but some good, hard running.
Jack Hughes - 7/10
I like him as an interchange prop.
Matt Davis - 6.5/10
Clever little player.
Josh Thewlis - N/A
First minutes of 2022.
@ALooseWire
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