Wolves are benchmark for Airlie Birds – Horne

The former Great Britain international had no complaints following Saturday’s 24-12 play-off defeat after a ruthless display by their opponents.

Horne, 30, told the Yorkshire Post: “We’d talked at half-time about how we weren’t completing our sets.

“Warrington have been the best at it for the last couple of weeks now and were up in the 80s while our percentage was around the 50s. You can’t keep defending all that time against a team like Warrington.

“They restricted us really well, slowed us down and all credit to them. They played really well, defensively more than anything, and then cut us open a couple of times which is all that’s needed in play-off football.”

Warrington had led 24-0 before Tom Briscoe scored and then Horne laid one up for Ben Crooks late on. “We’re happy with the effort,” he added.

“That was there. If someone missed a tackle, another was there to back up and that’s what we’ve been doing for the last few weeks.

“It was a spirited effort by the lads but our energy was down having to compete against such a big, strong outfit.

“It was inevitable people like Richie Myler were going to break some tackles eventually.

“It was a good game but we have to hold our hands up and say the better team won.

“We know we didn’t really give ourselves a chance with the ball which we’ve been doing well lately.

“That is disappointing but that’s play-off rugby for you; it’s a step up.

“We’ve got some quality signings coming in next year and I’m sure they’ll add to what we’ve got while we’ve some good young players too.

“But now I just want to get away from rugby for a couple of weeks and rest up as I know pre-season won’t be far away.”