Noble sorry for fans
Published Date:
05 May 2008
Warriors coach Brian Noble feels sorry for the Wigan fans who endured the humiliation of the 57-14 battering by St Helens in Cardiff yesterday.
The Warriors coach dubbed his side's first-half display – which left them trailing 35-0 – 'embarrassing'.
He apologised to the supporters and has vowed to put it right.
Noble said: "Thomas Leuluai was our best player, Iafeta Palea'aesina ran hard and Liam Colbon had a dig, but then the list runs dry.
"Perhaps we had too many youngsters, but the senior players didn't
deliver either.
"I feel sorry for all the Wigan fans who made that huge journey and paid out all that money to come and support us in Wales only to have to go home so disappointed.
"The first half was particularly embarrassing and the fans deserved a lot better.
"The plan is to put it right and soon as possible and that will involve
plenty of straight talking and a lot of hard work.
"There are 14 Super League games left and the Challenge Cup, and we need to be a whole lot
better than we were at the Millennium Stadium if we're going make any progress in either of those competition."
Pat Richards said: "Saints were good and we were poor and a
combination of the two brought about our downfall.
"St Helens seem to save their best for us, but we should know that by now.
"The atmosphere in the Wigan dressing room is dreadful. We know we've let everybody down."
St Helens coach Daniel Anderson said: "Our first-half show was as near
perfect as you can get it."
Warriors may have a spot of bother brewing as well.
Leuluai was spoken to by the referee after an alleged trip on the try-scoring Ade Gardner in the second half .
The player was not placed on report, but if the incident is cited by the RFL disciplinary panel, Leuluai's place in the New Zealand team to contest the Test against Australia on Friday could be in
jeopardy.
Australian back-row forward Phil Bailey was a late cry-off yesterday after being taken ill on the morning of the game.
His place in the back three was taken by prop Andy Coley, while travelling reserve Thomas Coyle was a late promotion on to the bench.
Meanwhile, only the East and West Stands of the JJB Stadium will be open for Wigan's fifth-round Challenge Cup clash against Whitehaven next Monday.
Reduced-price tickets are now on sale. Season ticket holders have until tomorrow evening to book their usual seats.
The home game against Warrington on Friday, May 16, now kicks off at 7.30pm.
The full article contains 448 words and appears in Wigan Evening Post newspaper.
-
Last Updated:
05 May 2008 8:58 PM
-
Source:
Wigan Evening Post
-
Location:
Wigan