Wakefield Trinity Wildcats v Warrington Wolves: Scheduling issues bug Wildcats chief Brian Smith

WAKEFIELD Trinity Wildcats head coach Brian Smith is irritated hosts Warrington Wolves have had so long to prepare for tonight's game '“ and says such 'inequalities' are part of the reason the World Club Series was a failure again for Super League.
Wakefield Wildcats  coach, Brian SmithWakefield Wildcats  coach, Brian Smith
Wakefield Wildcats coach, Brian Smith

Warrington were last in action on February 14 when defeating Hull KR while their West Yorkshire visitors faced Rovers, too, only last Sunday, edging to their first win of the season.

“It’s a big job for a club like ours after a five-day preparation to go to a team that’s had 12 days prep’ and is in winning form,” said the Australian, ahead of facing a side coached by his brother Tony.

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“We’ll need to be really good. But also, because Warrington have the Thursday game next week and because they can – as the RFL tells them that they can – they scheduled this game for Friday which is the earliest possible time they can play so they have a full break for next weekend, too.

“All that’s great for Warrington but not very good at all for us and my question would be what’s the best thing for the game?

“Do you really want to give one team that many advantages and potentially have a blowout scoreline? It happens way too often. It’s not just us – we’re just the meat in the sandwich this time around.”

After witnessing NRL clubs convincingly whitewash their Super League rivals for a second year running in the World Club Series last weekend, Smith feels it is partly due to the knock-on effect of such scheduling issues.

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“English rugby league just doesn’t generate week to week the same level of intensity because it’s too lopsided,” said Smith.

“The scheduling is a serious factor in that. If you add in boggy grounds, wet conditions, tired legs...it’s almost like we’re being set up to be the insect on the windscreen. Well we ain’t going to be that on Friday night let me assure you. But what’s good or bad for Wakefield is not the issue in the broader scheme of things.

“Until someone in power recognises that you can’t keep having lopsided contests and get players to develop the intensity of their preparation, and their ongoing performance, then seriously you can’t expect any success with all the inequalities in the planning.

“It happens over and over again and it’s no good for the long-term development of players here.”