EFFECTIVELY, a new “mini-season” is about to start for Warrington Wolves.

They open Super League’s play-off series by hosting Castleford Tigers at The Halliwell Jones Stadium tonight in an elimination final.

It is the first of three games The Wire will have win to reach the Super League Grand Final on October 12. Defeat at any point along the way will end their season.

“It’s a clean slate for everyone now. We’re looking at it like a new season,” head coach Steve Price said.

“We’ve got tunnel vision and we’re not looking beyond Castleford.

“All our energy will go into putting in a hard-nosed display on Thursday.

“I’ve said it a number of times, but I’ve got a group that really cares about this jersey.

“That’s been displayed throughout the season in big games.”

Every game from now on is a knock-out fixture, but that would appear to suit them just fine.

Price has an honourable record of reaching every major final possible during his Warrington reign, capped by lifting the Challenge Cup last month.

Their best play has been reserved for do-or-die fixtures over the past two seasons and with the team in dire Super League form – they have lost seven of their past eight league fixtures – they will need to dig deep again.

“All the hard stuff has been done now. We’ve put ourselves in a position to fight for the Super League trophy,” Price said.

“The finals series starts now. It’s new beginnings and these are the championship rounds you play rugby for.

“We’ve been really consistent in knock-out rounds of late, but we’re going to need all our experience to overcome a really desperate Castleford team.

“We’re not thinking about things going wrong. We’re focused on our task and that’s doing our jobs to the best of our ability.

“If the guys do that, we as coaches can’t really ask for any more.

“It’s about 7.45pm on Thursday. Nothing else matters.”

Live coverage of tonight's game will be available on our website from 6pm via Matchday Live