IN what was an excellent and committed team performance, there were a few Warrington Wolves players who stood out in particular at St Helens.
It’s now nine wins in a row against the neighbours for The Wire but more importantly within the context of the current season, a sixth straight Super League win placed them – albeit perhaps only temporarily – top of the table.
But who shone brightest at the BrewDog Stadium?
Our Wire reporter Matt Turner picks his five Wire stand-outs from the Round 14 victory here…
EWAN IRWIN
It would be unfair to say “a star is born,” because he’s way past that, you feel…
But with every passing week, Ewan Irwin continues to show that the future – and indeed the present – of Warrington Wolves’ half-back position is in great hands.
As with any 18-year-old playing at this level, there have been ups and downs for him this year but this was a game he will remember for a long time, capped by him gleefully sliding over for a try in front of hundreds of adoring fans who would serenade him off the field.
He’s shown glimpses of the talent that has earned glowing endorsements from legends of the game so far but alongside George Williams and Marc Sneyd, one got the sense he was always holding something back.
However, he’s found a partner in Leon Hayes who appears to get the best out of him and while that is the case, they simply have to stay together.
Patience and care will still be needed with both of them but if playing alongside his fellow academy graduate continues to bring performances like this out of Irwin, long may it continue.
The Starboy is here to stay!
JOSH THEWLIS
While this wasn’t a polished attacking display, it was a victory rooted in defensive grit and organisation.
And there was no player who epitomised this more than Josh Thewlis, who is continuing to shine in what he feels is his more natural position at full-back.
It is incredible to think that this man is still only 24 years of age. In theory, his best years are still ahead of him and if that is the case, what a tantalising prospect!
This was another assured display that featured three crucial interventions to prevent Saints from scoring, two of which came during a first half in which Warrington had to weather the storm.
Firstly, he somehow hauled Jonny Lomax away from the turf as he crossed the line to allow Matty Ashton to come over the top and dislodge the ball before another superb tackle halted a charging Owen Dagnall as he powered towards the corner.
Later on, George Whitby was sent crashing to the floor by Thewlis shy of the line after Wire had established command – had he got past him, things may have got hairy.
Even his sin-binning for tripping Dagnall with the game won showed the desperation with which he plays – and it’s clearly infectious among his teammates.
It is going to be quite a selection headache when Cai Taylor-Wray is ready to return because at the moment, you’d be loathed to move Thewlis from where he is performing so admirably.
JOSH SMITH
“Signing of the century.”
That was the proclamation of one particular Warrington fan following another stunning display from Wire’s unheralded Aussie.
While Josh Smith still has some way to go before he can be spoken of in the same breath as the likes of Toa Kohe-Love and Brent Grose among others – players who arrived in England to little fanfare and left as primrose and blue icons – but he’s certainly going the right way about it.
It’s only right that the club’s recruitment in the recent past has come in for criticism but equally, director of rugby Gary Chambers and all involved deserve credit aplenty for what they’ve managed to bring in this year.
All of the new signings have added value in their own way but having been plucked out of the Queensland Cup, Smith is the jewel in the crown.
All three of his decisive contributions in this game displayed everything you’d want from a centre – sleight of hand and timing to set up Albert Hopoate’s crucial score on the stroke of half time, power to break through the Saints defence deep inside his own half and then pace to sprint clear of it to score his 11th try in 14 appearances.
“Who?” was a fair response when his signing was announced but everyone in Super League knows all about Josh Smith now.
JAMES HARRISON
You wouldn’t think James Harrison had been out for two months…
In his first appearance since undergoing ankle surgery, the skin-headed forward slipped right back into the reliable role he was filling so magnificently before being struck down.
Selflessness and efficiency are the core pillars of Harrison’s game – whatever job he is asked to do, he does it with minimal fuss and eye-catching impact.
Starting in the second row, the plan of moving him to the middle in order to bring Kelepi Tanginoa on went out of the window after five minutes when Zack Gardner’s injury forced fellow edge forward James Bentley into the centres.
80 minutes out of position in your first game back? No problem…
Warrington have missed him greatly, so they will be delighted to have him back.
BEN CURRIE
You can see why Sam Burgess is so loathed to move Ben Currie from the loose forward role that has rejuvenated his career.
He was forced into it against Hull FC as injuries and late pull-outs shunted him back out onto the edges, but his return to the middle coincided with another totemic performance.
With two youngsters in the halves, having him as the extra ball-handling option is crucial but in contrast to Joe Shorrocks on the other side who only seemed to get the ball and shift it on, Currie mixed it up to good effect.
No Wire forward took more than his 16 carries while his 40 tackles was bettered only by hooker Danny Walker (43).
Warrington have enough injuries at present but if there were to be any more, Currie would be at the top of the list of players whom they cannot afford for it to befall.
Honourable mentions
Albert Hopoate was on the verge of making this list after putting in some rock-solid graft all evening - he led the game for metres gained (160) and put his hand up for some extremely tough carries, as well as finishing off that crucial try just before the break.
Danny Walker too looked back to his razor-sharp best and topped the tackle count while this was arguably the best game since his return from injury for Toff Sipley.
Once again, James Bentley did well having been forced into the centres - it can easily be said his best two games in a Wire shirt have come as an emergency outside-back - while he also did very well to resist confrontation after being levelled by a Joe Shorrocks tackle that was put on report.
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