Morley has faith in Smith

Morley: Keeping the faith

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Adrian Morley has insisted that England should show faith in coach Tony Smith in spite of their disappointing showing at the World Cup.

Smith's side flattered to deceive in Australia and recorded only one victory in the tournament against minnows Papua New Guinea.

They lost twice to eventual winners New Zealand, with the nadir being reached in almost humiliating fashion when the host nation romped to a 52-4 victory.

A predictable period of soul-searching has followed, but Morley has insisted the problem does not lie with Smith, who has another 12 months on his contract.

"What happened was totally disappointing but Tony has a great record as a coach and don't forget it's only last year when he led us to a series win over the Kiwis for the first time in ages," the Warrington captain told the Manchester Evening News.

"Much better was expected of his team in Australia but I say keep faith in him, see how things pan out this season and then decide.

"He's certainly a very innovative coach. I rate him and he does have good ideas but it just didn't happen in the World Cup."

Morley, at 31 the elder statesman of the England pack, said he was at a loss to explain their poor performances Down Under.

The former Leeds and Sydney Roosters forward said: "It's now gone, we've had to try and get it out of our system and look ahead but the way things went did hurt me and disappoint me."

Bullish

Meanwhile, Morley was bullish about Warrington's Super League prospects for 2009 and revealed the Wolves' stated aim of a place in the Grand Final.

The ambitious club have had the chequebook out once again pre-season, with Morley to be joined in the front row by Garreth Carvell and Micky Higham.

He explained: "I want us to be competitive and the big goal is to go all the way to Old Trafford. I would love to lift a trophy with Warrington because success is long overdue."