SAM Burgess’ belief that his Warrington Wolves side are ready for play-off rugby league remains absolute.
And while he may have watched his side’s winning run ended by a top-six rival, he says the areas in which they can prevent that from happening again when it really matters are easily fixed.
Despite losing 25-18 at Wakefield Trinity on Saturday, Warrington still go into the final round of regular-season matches knowing they will be at home in the eliminator round at worst while still maintaining a minute mathematical chance of finishing second.
And that in itself is key given The Wire have beaten all three of the sides that will join them in the first week of the play-offs at The Halliwell Jones Stadium but have now been beaten on the road by Wakefield as well as Leigh Leopards.
Burgess’ boys need only avoid defeat to Toulouse Olympique on Friday to guarantee third place, which could have been sewn up by now had they converted a 14-6 half-time lead into victory at the DIY Kitchens Stadium.
But while admitting his side fell away from what they were doing well, Burgess insists they have learned a key lesson for when the post-season begins.
“In terms of being ready, it’s as good as we can be,” he said.
“We didn’t control the last plays very well in the second half.
“In the first half, we were willing to make some hard choices but in the second, we were a bit flustered on the last plays.
“It’s being willing to put the ball where it needs to be and building the game – we did it for small periods in the second half, but not enough.
“If it had been more like the first half, it would have been a different result, I’d say.
“I thought it was a very high-quality game, especially in the first half. The second half got a bit “stop-start,” which isn’t what we wanted.
“They had a bit of power but in terms of the quality of contest, it was right up there with both teams completing high.”
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