Warrington Wolves talking points after win at Hull KR

The Wire were 22-20 winners over a well-fancied Hull KR side as they picked up their third victory in four matches this season.

Our Wire reporter Matt Turner was there and picks out his five key takeaways from the game here...

Wire show their steel

The Warrington Wolves side that collapsed so dramatically last year would have lost this game – and would have done so quite handsomely.

That seems like quite a strange thing to say given they actually won on this ground at this stage last year in equally gutsy fashion, but this was a victory for the steel Sam Burgess is trying to instil within this group, many of whom were part of the aforementioned nosedive that ended the Daryl Powell era so ignominiously.

They had to find ways to hang in there when they were being put under intense pressure and they needed their fair share of luck – Hull KR squandered at least two clear scoring opportunities, meaning this game could easily have gone against them.

There remains plenty to improve upon and nobody will be getting carried away just yet, but this was a big tick in the box for Burgess’ boys.

Matty Ashton celebrates scoring in the first half (Image: PA Wire)

The two sides of Matt Dufty

Is Wire’s maverick full-back showing some signs of the consistency that has previously deserted him?

It is still early days, but the signs are certainly positive for Dufty after another influential display.

As well as the winning try, he racked up two more assists and made more than 200 metres with the ball for the second week in a row.

The attacking structures being implemented chiefly by assistant coach Martin Gleeson appear to be giving him more space, and he is looking a huge threat as a consequence.

However, there still remains the side that frustrates many – the feeling he remains vulnerable under the high ball.

The way in which he was outjumped for the ball by Tyrone May for Rovers’ first try will be picked out, but there were key defensive contributions aside from that that should be noted.

Matt Dufty scores the match-winning try (Image: SWPix.com)

Hayes makes another case

With Josh Drinkwater now set for a few weeks on the sidelines, the way is clear for Leon Hayes to start stamping his mark on this side.

There will be a decision to make for Burgess down the track when all of his half-back options are fit, but the homegrown scrum-half’s case for staying in the team when that time comes is getting stronger by the week.

His confidence and influence are clearly growing, as demonstrated by having the wherewithal to drop a perfectly-placed kick in behind to set up Matty Ashton’s try.

Another pass mark for the development of a highly-talented young player who will form a big part of the club’s future but is becoming an increasingly significant part of its present.

Leon Hayes in action at Craven Park (Image: SWPix.com)

A goal-kicking problem in the present and future

In Stefan Ratchford, Warrington possess arguably Super League’s best goalkicker.

He finished last year with that title and having landed 33 consecutive goals, he is closing in on the competition record of 39 in a row.

However, it is clear that Burgess prefers Connor Wrench in the centres, meaning the responsibility for the kicking tee has to go elsewhere.

Josh Thewlis and Leon Hayes are both capable goal-kickers but this was an off-night for them – only one of Wire’s five tries was converted and in the first half in particular, missed kicks meant a half-time lead that could have been a hefty 12 points was instead only six. Despite being outscored by four tries to two, Hull KR were still very much in touch.

The hosts had kicking problems of their own – James Batchelor missed his two attempts at goal after Jez Litten had left the field – so this time, it did not end up costing Wire.

Clearly, though, it is an issue that needs to be resolved.

Josh Thewlis converted one of his three attempts at goal, with Leon Hayes missing with both of his efforts (Image: PA)

Are we believers now?

Wire were about where people expected them to be after three rounds, meaning this was to be the acid test of any progress made.

While it can’t be said they came through it with flying colours in all areas, it does not make the feat of knocking off a well-fancied side on a ground that is notoriously difficult for visiting sides any less impressive.

If nothing else, the result will allow the momentum that has been gathering to build further and provide more evidence that, while it is still early days, some solid foundations are being put into place.

The sample size remains small and now is not the time to judge this side, but Burgess and his boys are slowly winning people round.

Ben Currie and Danny Walker celebrate at full time (Image: SWPix.com)