AFTER another topsy-turvy week, Warrington Wolves are just happy to be playing.
They started their week preparing for Salford Red Devils but will end it facing down Huddersfield Giants – a sign of the crazy times we are currently living in.
As more Covid cases mount up, this could well be The Wire's last regular season fixture if talk of an extended play-off series comes to fruition.
Whatever happens, Steve Price says his side have to keep rolling with the punches.
Wire head coach Steve Price. Picture by Mike Boden
"We’re still remaining focused. We’ve been desperate to play for a while but have had unfortunate circumstances," he said.
"Salford said they couldn’t fulfil the fixture – it’s unfortunate that game got forfeited and now we’re playing Huddersfield.
"It’s just one of those things. It’s been a crazy year but we’ll keep punching on and preparing as best we can.
"All we can do is be the best version of ourselves and be as prepared as we can be.
"We’ve spoken about it for months, there’s that many curveballs being thrown at us.
"All teams have come across some sort of curveball or however you want to put it. The majority are just getting on with it and we’re no different.
"We had seven players stood down against Hull FC and Castleford through close contacts via a positive case.
"We had every right to stand down for those two games but we cracked on.
"There’s not much you can really do. As long as everyone’s being genuine and sincere, that’s all you can ask for.
"Our players and staff have been class.
"I’m not going to lie, it’s been difficult and tough for everyone involved especially the players’ families.
"They come to training with a smile on their face every day and they crack on. They love playing football and that’s what we look forward to."
On Wednesday, Salford said they would be unable to fulfil Friday's scheduled game against Price's side – a severe injury crisis rather than any Covid-related issue reduced them to their last 13 players.
A walkover 24-0 Warrington win was the upshot but now, they must face down a Huddersfield side smarting from an 18-14 loss to Wakefield Trinity last time out.
> Does the walkover win over Salford count towards suspensions for Lineham and Akauola?
The Wire beat Huddersfield 19-18 in August. Picture by Mike Boden
Plenty has changed since a late Blake Austin drop goal proved the difference in a 19-18 win for The Wire when these sides met in August – Luke Robinson is now in temporary charge of the Giants after Simon Woolford's premature departure.
So how has having their opponent changed at short notice affected Price's preparations?
"As soon as the call came through, we got cracking on with Huddersfield," he said.
"We’ve looked over their last couple of games and have identified some strengths and weaknesses.
"The majority of our work is about what we do..
"There’s a few things we throw in depending on the opposition about kicking game, defensive trends and what we feel they could throw at us.
"I’d say about 85 per cent of training is about ourselves.
"They’re going to be a desperate team and will be hurting from their loss to Wakefield.
"It’s the strongest team they’ve been able to put out for a long time now.
"They’ve got two quality halves in Lee Gaskell and Aidan Sezer, who has been the form player of the competition.
"They have a strong forward pack and Jacob Wardle has been lighting it up on the left side.
"It’s going to be a tough challenge but one we’re really looking forward to. We’ve got to keep getting better and growing our game to get it where we want it to be."
> VOTE: Price assesses his left wing options for Huddersfield clash
Huddersfield scrum-half Aidan Sezer currently leads the race to be crowned this year's Steve Prescott Man of Steel. Picture by SWPix.com
This week's upheaval has only added weight to calls for the regular season to be ended early and for teams with a realistic chance of making the play-offs to compete in an extended, knockout format.
Super League clubs are set to meet in the coming days to discuss the issue.
"There’s been a lot of people putting their cases forward," Price said.
"We just have to wait and see what the RFL come up with.
"They said a number of weeks ago how it’s going to unfold, with the number of games played and the points system. I think they should stand by that."
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