Play-Off Review #1 - Crossed Wires?

I had intended on writing a blog post earlier this week to preview this week's play-off action, but I did not have time! If I had, then I would have written about how Warrington would comfortably beat Hull FC, who stood little chance of progression to the semi-finals. I'm glad I didn't post that now, I might have looked a little stupid...

In reviewing Thursday's play-off eliminator, the temptation is to immediately launch into criticism of Warrington's performance. But to do that would be to sell Hull FC's achievement short. When I think of Hull FC, especially over the last three seasons, the last thing that springs to mind is resilience.

Recently, FC have been a side that when it comes to the crunch, they haven't wanted to know. Hull fans will be delighted to see their side buck that trend on Thursday. Warrington did have the better of the opening exchanges and applied some pressure to the Hull defence. The Hull FC side that I thought I knew would have cracked. The Hull FC side that took to the field on Thursday did not.

In fact, not only did they not crack, they responded. A well-worked move against the grain by Sneyd and Connor set up Faraimo for the opening score. Even when Warrington responded with two scores, Hull FC were not downcast, responding with a try and a drop goal to give them a five point half time lead.

By full time, a five point lead was a 13 point lead, and ultimately, a comfortable victory. The game was tense for large periods, but the radar-like accuracy of Marc Sneyd's boot, intelligent, composed and mature tactics and a defensive steel choked the life from Warrington.

To get into the play-offs at all was a reprieve for Hull FC. To progress to the semi-final presents a pressure-free environment. If they play as they did on Thursday against Wigan, whilst they will remain underdogs, they aren't going to have their tummy's tickled. 

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As for Warrington, there is little positive to say. You often hear Australian coaches talk about how to play 'finals footy'. Warrington's display was the antithesis of that. In the first quarter, for example, they tried two audacious chip kicks to catch out Hull FC, both of which failed.

The question begs, 'would Warrington have attempted that against Wigan or St Helens?' . I am almost certain that the answer is no. That approach is naïve at best, arrogant at worst. Warrington did not seem to feel a need to build pressure and earn opportunities, but that they would just present themselves without hard work. You cannot approach a play-off in that manner.

Questions must also be asked of Steve Price's selection. I understand why he selected Jake Mamo on the bench. Sometimes it makes sense to have a utility player on the bench, even where they play zero or limited minutes, to provide cover for anywhere in the back line. However, not to bring on Ellis Robson at all was unfathomable.

Warrington were already down on Mike Cooper, arguably their most consistent and strongest forward. The decision to name Robson on the bench but not involve him meant that Warrington played with 15 players compared to Hull FC's 17. If Price did not trust Robson to play, then why was he on the bench at all?

The answer is probably because Robson has had limited first team experience. That arises from Warrington's preference to buy in big-name players, rather than trust in youth. We discussed this in depth in a blog post in May. It is not a coincidence that three sides currently in Super League who have won the championship have the best academies and best youth products.

To take that final step to a Super League title, Warrington should place more trust in their young players. The congested schedule has meant we have seen more of Samy Kibula, Ellis Robson and Eribe Doro. These are players who deserve more of a chance in 2021, so if they are needed come play-off time, Steve Price would have no hesitation in playing them.

For the second year running, Warrington's season has ended in a damp squib, a disappointing home defeat to a lower-ranked rival. Warrington would be better served using the off-season to reflect on why, despite a big salary cap spend, they keep falling short, and have done for the past decade.

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Whilst you're here...do check out our other blog, 'One Finger, One Thumb, Keep Moving', reviewing the other play-off encounter between Catalans and Leeds.

LINK: https://thetryline.blogspot.com/2020/11/play-off-review-2-one-finger-one-thumb.html