Warriors learn the lesson
MICHAEL Maguire insists Warriors’ recent weekend off has not interrupted the momentum of their season.
Despite last weekend’s agonising home defeat to Huddersfield, the Wigan head coach believes the break caused by the Challenge Cup semi-finals the previous weekend has given his side an advantage.
Maguire is happy to put Sunday’s game down as a learning experience, and was full of praise for his players for recognising it as such.
“At the end of the day it was just one of those games where we didn’t take our opportunities when we had them and I think the players themselves identified that straight away,” he said.
“It’s good that I’ve got a group that can identify that and I’m sure that they won’t let that happen again.”
Warriors will have at least one more weekend off as the play-offs approach.
Next week’s Challenge Cup final means there are no Super League games.
If they finish top of the table and win their opening play-off game Warriors will then have a bye through to week three.
“To be honest it’s a benefit for us,” Maguire continued.
“We’ve got a lot of good healthy bodies now, it’s just a matter of continuing doing what we’ve been doing.”
Warriors still need a point to secure the League Leaders’ Shield, and will hope to claim it against Hull KR at Craven Park on Sunday, where they will be re-joined by a familiar face.
Warriors have recalled 19-year-old back Josh Charnley from his loan spell with the Humberside outfit as cover in the centres.
Both Darrell Goulding, who suffered a back spasm before kick off last weekend, and George Carmont, who badly cut a finger in the Huddersfield game, will be assessed ahead of Sunday’s match.
And Maguire was full of approval for the way Charnley has conducted himself this season.
The youngster has scored five tries in as many games for the Robins, and has greatly impressed Justin Morgan.
“He was probably one of our best performers through the pre-season so I knew he was going to pop up throughout the year,” Maguire said.
“He’s a great kid and it’s a real credit to him the way he’s performed when he’s left us.
“But I knew that he was going to be a quality kid and I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to use him in our team. He’s got a great future in the game.”
Unusually, if selected, Charnley would face his former Rovers team-mates days after parting company with the squad.
“It’s probably is a little unusual, but he’s a Wigan boy through and through, and if he gets the opportunity to play for Wigan that’s his dream,” Maguire said.
“I think ultimately it doesn’t matter what’s in front of him, he’ll just go out and perform the way he has been doing.”
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Weather for Wigan
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
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