What next for Warrington Wolves?

What next for Warrington Wolves?

Last season's performance

After quite an underwhelming season, Warrington Wolves really have to access their rebuilding process. The 2012 and 2013 Grand Finalists have been in a strange consistency of failing to end the season with silverware, as well as dramatically dipping in form in the latter stages of the season. Last season, Warrington finished 6th in the regular season, winning 12 and losing 11. In Round One of the Super 8 Play-offs, they lost away to the eventual Grand Final winners, Leeds, 49-10. The key stat from this game was Leeds' 13 breaks compared to Warrington three, which indicates that Warrington didn't cope with the speed of Leeds when it mattered in tightly contested off-loads. In Round Two, Warrington narrowly lost away to Castleford by one point (17-16). Liam Finn scored the last minute drop goal to put daylight from the Yorkshire outfit and the rest of the Super 8 teams. The Wire then lost 28-0 at home to arch-rivals Wigan and was the first time that they had been nilled at home that season. Frustration showed for the Wolves as prop forward Ashton Sims was put on report for stamping on Wigan front rower Lee Mossop. Warrington then registered their first Super 8 win at home to Hull FC, winning 46-16. Winger Kevin Penny scored a hat-trick of tries, with his third coming in the 49th minute after brilliantly holding off the tackling duo of Shaul and Norton to reach the line and score.

 

However, that win wasn't followed by another, as Wire then lost away to Huddersfield 48-10. Wire were outclassed on almost every stat of the game but turned it around at home to Catalan in Round 6, winning 48-6. It was an emotional day for the Warrington faithful as Joel Monaghan, Roy Asotasi, Catalan-bound Richie Myler, and many others, were playing their last home game. Wire's last game of the season was an away victory to Saint Helens (16-32). Disappointingly for travelling fans, this game was probably the only glimpse of the Wire's potential during the Super 8 play-offs. The season overall was quite average and in my opinion, Tony Smith has a made or break season ahead of him.  

 

 

In's and Out's 2016

In
Kurt Gidley - Signed from Newcastle Knights (1 year contract).
Tom Lineham - Signed from Hull FC (2 year contract).
Chris Sandow - Signed from Parramatta Eels (2 year contract).
Jack Hughes - Signed from Wigan Warriors (2 year contract).
Mitchell Dodds - Signed from Brisbane Broncos (1 year contract).
Benjamin Jullien - Signed from SO Avignon (1 year contract).
Joe Westerman - Signed from Hull FC (3 year contract).

Out
Chris Bridge - Sold to Widnes Vikings (2 year contract).
Richie Myler - Sold to Catalan Dragons (2 year contract).
Roy Asotasi - Retired.
Simon Grix - Warrington Wolves coaching staff.
Gareth O'Brien - Released.
Joel Monaghan - Castleford Tigers (2 year contract).


2015/16 Expectations and Predictions
My expectations for the 2015/16 season for Warrington is to reach the Semi-finals of the Challenge Cup, finish fifth in the regular season and reach the Grand Final. These expectations may seem unrealistic to some fans but I think Tony Smith has had more than enough time to still call Warrington's inability to get the job done a 'transitional' period. Despite the debating players, some of which I am surprised to see leaving (Monaghan and Myler), there are some much needed positives from the season. Kevin Penny scored 16 tries in an impressive season (his best being described above) and Ben Currie was always a threat at second row, portraying the form that break him into the Warrington squad in 2012. Lineham and Westerman add competition for the Winger spots, which is good from Smith as it shows awareness to keep certain players continuously performing for their place in the team.

However, the question is where do I realistically see Warrington finishing next season. Honestly, I think that we will reach the Quarter-Finals in the Challenge Cup, finish sixth in the regular season and not reach the Grand Final. Why do I think this happen. It is simply because Tony Smith hasn't found quality replacements for legends Lee Briers & Adrian Morley. You could say Ben Currie has time on his side in order to transform into a world-class second rower but unfortunately for fans, Warrington have lacked that high-level creative edge that Briers offered for so many years. I don't think Warrington will have a bad season (almost anything is an improvement on the final stage of this season just gone) but I think they won't reach the expectations of journalists and fans alike.  

Warrington Wolves' Team of 2014/15.