WITH just over a week away until the start of the new Super League season Warrington Wolves play their only pre-season later today – Chris Hill’s testimonial game v Leigh.
All six of the opening round of games will take place at Leeds’ Headingley Stadium, with Warrington not in action until Sunday, when they take on Castleford Tigers.
Games will be behind closed doors until at least the middle of May, when officials are hopeful up to 4,000 fans will be welcomed back to Super League stadiums.
The biggest news of pre-season has been that Wolves coach Steve Price will return to Australia at the end of the season.
Price led the Wolves to three consecutive finals after arriving in 2018, winning the 2019 Challenge Cup, but has been unable as yet to deliver that elusive Super League title.
New captain
Taking over as captain this year is Jack Hughes, who arrived at the club from Wigan in 2016 and has made 139 appearances.
On Price’s planned departure, he said: “We’re completely understanding of Steve’s decision. We really respect him for his honesty, because he could have left it until later in the season.
“Steve is a man of integrity, he wanted to get off his chest, and be honest with his players.”
Hughes has been co-captain with Chris Hill in recent years, with the decision made to relieve some pressure on Hill.
Hill celebrates his testimonial with a game against his former club Leigh, tonight, in Warrington’s only pre-season friendly.
Price said: “I had an open and honest discussion with Chris and said that the club was best served by putting Jack in as captain.
“I feel there’s a lot of weight lifted off Chris’ shoulders by taking that away, and then gives Jack a bigger responsibility that he’s embraced.”
Price going out on a high
Although criticised in some quarters, Price remains determined to bring success to Warrington Wolves and go out on a high.
He said: “It gives the club the option to go and look for the best candidate. No one is bigger than the club. I’m just really driven to have a cracking season this year.
“I’ve had a fantastic time here at Warrington Wolves, it’s a wonderful club. I want to prepare the boys to be the best they can each week and be really consistent.
“If we deliver on the standards we have produced in pre-season, I’m confident that we’re going to give ourselves every chance.”
New faces
The Wolves have made arguably the headline signing ahead of the 2021 season, tempting former Australia international Greg Inglis out of retirement to have a tilt at adding a Super League title to his decorated career.
The ex-Queensland State of Origin superstar fills the space left by Anthony Gelling, who left the club by mutual consent just a year into his deal and returned home to New Zealand.
Inglis is one of just three new faces for Steve Price – the others being forward Rob Butler, signed from London, and prop Rob Mulhern, who moved to the Wolves in a swap deal with Luis Johnson.
A large turnover of players given the current situation was always unlikely – though the Wolves have also said goodbye to Ben Murdoch-Masila (NZ Warriors), Harvey Livett, Dec Patton (both Salford) and Leilani Latu (released).
Loans out
With no reserve grade in 2021, a number of Warrington Wolves youngsters have already been sent out on loan to get playing time.
Joining centre Keanan Brand at Leigh are fellow outside backs Nathan Roebuck and Tom Burnett, while Samy Kibula has unfortunately suffered what appears to be a season ending Achilles injury on loan at Newcastle.
Also out at the start of the season is half-back Riley Dean, who has joined Championship side York City Knights
Squad
1. Stefan Ratchford, 2. Tom Lineham, 3. Greg Inglis, 4. Toby King, 5. Josh Charnley, 6. Blake Austin, 7. Gareth Widdop, 8. Chris Hill, 9. Daryl Clark, 10. Mike Cooper, 11. Ben Currie, 12. Jack Hughes, 13. Joe Philbin, 14. Jason Clark, 15. Matty Davis, 16. Danny Walker, 17. Matty Ashton, 18. Jake Mamo, 19. Robbie Mulhern, 20. Sitaleki Akauola, 21. Rob Butler, 22. Ellis Robson, 23. Josh Thewlis, 24. Riley Dean, 25. Eribe Doro, 26. Ellis Longstaff, 27. Connor Wrench, 28. Nathan Roebuck, 29. Jacob Gannon.
