Smith - We need a miracle

Smith: Needs a miracle

It's going to have to take a small miracle to make the eight - which is a bit of a shame because, if we did, I think we could trouble some teams.

Tony Smith
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Warrington coach Tony Smith admits his side 'need a miracle' if they are to qualify for the Super League play-offs.

The Challenge Cup winners crashed to a 40-16 defeat at the hands of Hull KR on Saturday - a result which leaves the Wolves outside the top eight with only one game left of the regular season.

And although Catalans Dragons' surprise home defeat by Wakefield means qualification is still possible, Wolves must now beat Quins and hope other results go their way.

"We're disappointed," Smith said. "It's going to have to take a small miracle to make the eight - which is a bit of a shame because, if we did, I think we could trouble some teams."

Injury problems

Wolves travelled to Craven Park already without three members of their Wembley-winning team through injury and suffered further blows when back-rowers Louis Anderson (elbow) and Ben Harrison (hip) left the field before half-time.

But a makeshift side produced a spirited effort after the break, with Smith claiming the turning point in the match came when video referee Phil Bentham ruled out Mickey Higham's second try for a double movement.

"I thought it was a big call, because it would have put us further ahead," he said. "For the life of me I can't understand why it wasn't given.

"We had a great 'dig', and I'm really pleased with the effort. Obviously the scoreline isn't great, but I'm really proud of them for the way they tried. They probably 'over-tried' in a few areas - and that cost us."

Smith was delighted for Tyrone McCarthy, who won a Cup-winners' medal in only his third senior appearance a week ago and followed that up with his first ever Super League try against the Robins.

"He was 'busted', but I'm pleased for him," said Smith. He's been terrific for us and has a bright future if he keeps working hard.

"He's only been full-time for the last few months - and if that's a sign of things to come, he will make big inroads in the game."

Blistering

Australian forward Clint Newton scored a hat-trick of tries as Hull KR strengthened their hold on third place with a fifth successive win and gained a touch of revenge for their extra-time Challenge Cup quarter-final defeat in May.

"Warrington came here to play," said Rovers coach Justin Morgan. "They have a hard pack to play against, but I thought we handled them quite well.

"I'm proud of the way we dug in, and there were some good individual performances. Obviously 'Newts' was excellent with three tries, and his first hit on Chris Riley set the tone for the match.

"I still think we've got some improvements. Our form is okay without being blistering. I don't think we're firing just yet.

"We're not done yet - this is only the first phase - but it will have done us the world of good to get that hardened approach back."

The Robins' win came at a cost - with loose forward Scott Murrell sustaining a suspected broken hand, Jake Webster damaging a hamstring and Ben Cockayne going for x-rays on his foot.