Rugby League: Warrington coach pays tribute to his brave side

Aug 20 2007 by Ian Laybourn, Liverpool Daily Post

WARRINGTON coach Paul Cullen paid tribute to the bravery of his side after they overcame an injury crisis to beat Challenge Cup finalists Catalans Dragons.

Cullen was forced to give a debut to 18-year-old second rower Lee Mitchell after the late withdrawal of Henry Fa’afili and Simon Grix, who joined Chris Bridge, Vinnie Anderson, Stuart Reardon, Paul Johnson, Michael Sullivan and Mike Cooper on the sidelines with ankle injuries.

The Wolves ran in five tries to avenge their two defeats by the Dragons in Perpignan this year and strengthen their Super League play-off challenge.

“It wasn’t the best we’ve been all year but it was the bravest by a mile,” said Cullen.

“We had eight players out of 24 unavailable and medically it’s probably been the hardest week since I came back to the club five years ago.

“Full credit to the Catalans, who didn’t come here to give the game away, and I was really pleased the guys toughed it out.

“I was very pleased to be able to handle their big pack. We didn’t give any ground up the middle.”

Full-back Brent Grose scored two tries and promising winger Kevin Penny took his tally to 11 in 10 matches.

The Catalans took the gamble of fielding a near full-strength team ahead of Saturday’s Wembley showdown with St Helens and coach Mick Potter reported no further major injuries.

Former Warrington forward Jerome Guisset and centre Vincent Duport, who missed the match, are expected to be fit for Wembley but winger Thomas Bosc and prop Mathieu Griffi have little chance of playing and stand-off Casey McGuire remains doubtful with a torn pectoral muscle.