Furious Daryl Powell labelled his squad’s mentality and effort levels as “bull***t” as woeful Warrington were walloped at bottom-placed Wakefield.
Winger Innes Senior - starting his fourth spell at Trinity having joined on loan from Huddersfield - scored four tries as Mark Applegarth’s side produced a truly stunning performance. Wakefield were six points adrift of nearest rivals Castleford two months ago but have now drawn level with seven games remaining to give themselves a huge chance of avoiding relegation. But shambolic Warrington are in real danger of becoming the first side to win their opening eight games of a season yet fail to reach the play-offs.
It is the first time in more than 20 years they have lost six games in a row and this was comfortably the worst defeat of Powell’s reign. They have dropped to sixth and he is under immense pressure after the early Super League leaders were utterly embarrassed. He fumed: “It’s inexcusable. If we want to win a competition, we have to win these games.
“It’s always difficult here. But that doesn’t matter does it? It doesn't mean you can’t do it. But we come and get smacked on the nose and think ‘that’s it, we’re in trouble.’ And it’s bull***t as a rugby league team that you get smacked on the nose and can’t hold yourself together and just crack on and do your jobs. It’s the basis of the game. It’s a tough sport.
“As soon as we had to defend we were appalling. Every time Wakefield had an opportunity we looked vulnerable. I won’t make any excuses. It was shocking. The players had a week off and that performance was nowhere near. When talking about effort, some people need to look long and hard. Some things need to change within the team. There was a team desperate to win the game and it wasn’t us."
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Warrington hoped England captain George Williams' return after a four-game absence would kick-start their faltering campaign. But he was out-played by ex-England scrum-half Luke Gale, 35, who, along with full-back Max Jowitt, continually combined down their left to cut abysmal Warrington open. Senior reaped the rewards with a hat-trick inside just half-an-hour and veteran ex-Kiwi forward Kevin Proctor also rumbled in for his first try in Wakefield colours.
Wakefield's Liam Hood goes over for another Trinity try (PA)Trinity led 22-0 at the break and though Warrington struck first in the second period via Paul Vaughan, it didn’t spark any sort of revival. Instead, the excellent Liam Hood, ex-Wolves winger Tom Lineham, Jowitt and Senior again all crossed to complete the remarkable rout. Emphatic Wakefield lost their opening 14 games but have won four home games on the bounce and face relegation rivals Castleford there next on August 18.
Applegarth beamed: “We spoke about what a significant game it could be for us. And it was the most clinical we’ve been all year. We’ve given ourselves a fighting chance. We thought we’d get some joy down there (left). We thought there was a vulnerability down there we could exploit. That’s why we got Innes Senior back. Put him in open space there’s not many quicker. He’s finished really well. But the best player for me today was Liam Hood. He was outstanding."
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