THE halves continues to be a position in which Warrington Wolves seemingly cannot settle on a combination.
Another was tried on Friday night, with Peter Mata’utia ending up at stand-off alongside George Williams to form The Wire’s sixth different half-back pairing this year.
Among the keys to better performances and ultimately more victories is surely continuity within the spine so with that in mind, which partnership should Daryl Powell settle on for the remainder of the year?
On the assumption Williams will play at scrum-half if and when fit, we look at the options to partner him…
PETER MATA’UTIA
The man in possession, Mata’utia also holds the distinction of having started at number six in both of Warrington’s last two wins.
He was named in the centres against Hull FC on Friday but quickly swapped with Stefan Ratchford, with Daryl Powell praising the Samoan’s defensive performance at third man in.
With Jake Wardle coming in to replace Toby King, there is no urgent need for Mata’utia to return to the centres in terms of personnel, with Connor Wrench and Josh Thewlis showing up well on the right edge.
With that in mind, could he be the longer-term answer?
STEFAN RATCHFORD
Having found a home at full-back in the past few years, Ratchford has reverted back to his nomadic earlier days of playing here, there and everywhere.
From full-back to stand-off and then left centre on Friday, his versatility makes him a key asset to any squad but it remains unclear where he currently operates best.
With Gareth Widdop seemingly getting a longer run at full-back and Jake Wardle coming in to essentially fill the centre role vacated by Toby King, it appears number six is his best bet at getting into the side.
GARETH WIDDOP
Back in February, it would have been pretty amazing to think a Widdop-Williams half-back partnership would be considered unlikely by the end of June yet here we are.
As it stands, Widdop’s short and medium-term future appears to be at full-back but there is always the option of him moving back into the halves.
This would, of course, open the door for gun youngster Josh Thewlis to have another run in his preferred position.
RILEY DEAN
Arguably the popular option among fans, many of whom are desperate to see the academy graduate given a longer run in the side.
As it stands, he will spend the rest of the season on loan at Championship side Newcastle Thunder but Wire do hold the option to recall him at any time should they wish to.
> Riley Dean making a mark on loan at Newcastle Thunder
And after all, Warrington have only won six times this season and in two of them – the victory in Toulouse in February and April’s home win over Huddersfield – Dean has started in the halves.
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Pictures by Mike Boden and SWPix.com
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