Last updated: 31st December 2008
Morley: Keeping the faith
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."
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."
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Pictures from Rhinos' victory over Tony Smith's Warrington Wolves at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Pictures from the World Club Challenge final between Leeds and Manly at Elland Road.
Pictures from Friday night's match where Giants claimed their first league win at Bulls for 40 years.
Pictures from Headingley Carnegie where Leeds and Celtic Crusaders kicked off the new season.
Pictures from Rhinos' victory over Tony Smith's Warrington Wolves at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Engage Super League | |
| Friday 10th July | |
| 20:00 | Wigan vs Catalans Dragons |
| 20:00 | Wakefield vs Leeds |
| Saturday 11th July | |
| 15:00 | Harlequins RL vs Huddersfield |
| 18:00 | Celtic Crusaders vs Salford |
| 18:00 | Warrington vs St Helens |
| Sunday 12th July | |
| 15:00 | Hull K R vs Bradford |
| 15:00 | Warrington vs St Helens |
| 15:30 | Castleford vs Hull |
| Friday 17th July | |
| 20:00 | Hull vs Celtic Crusaders |
| 20:00 | Salford vs Castleford |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Engage Super League | |
| Sunday 5th July | |
| Bradford 38 - 40 Castleford | |
| Huddersfield 30 - 14 Wakefield | |
| Saturday 4th July | |
| Catalans Dragons 23 - 12 Hull K R | |
| Celtic Crusaders 6 - 22 Warrington | |
| Hull 30 - 43 Leeds | |
| Friday 3rd July | |
| Salford 20 - 10 St Helens | |
| Wigan 40 - 12 Harlequins RL | |
| Sunday 28th June | |
| Hull K R 28 - 36 Wigan | |
| Wakefield 20 - 18 Harlequins RL | |
| Warrington 24 - 12 Hull | |
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Ian Millward told Boots 'n' All that it is his ambition to lead Leigh Centurions into the Super League.
Huddersfield moved up into third place in the Super League after a hard-fought 30-14 derby success over Wakefield.
Castleford Tigers ran in seven tries in edging out Bradford, 40-38, in a high-scoring thriller.
Terry Matterson was almost at a loss for words after seeing Castleford edge a remarkable derby clash with Bradford at Odsal.
Paul Anderson was delighted with Huddersfield's 30-14 victory, while John Kear bemoaned Wakefield's failure to take their chances.
Leeds took advantage of St Helens slip on Friday to close the gap on the leaders to just two points with a 43-30 victory at Hull FC.