HANGING ON

Smith denies quit rumour after yet another drubbing

WOLVES’ coach Tony Smith was forced to deny reports he resigned after his side fell to a second comprehensive defeat in four days.

Warrington stated their Facebook page was hacked when it posted that Smith had stepped down after the match, and the Australian stood firm, adding, “I don’t give up that easily”.

There were plenty of boos for his team at full-time after conceding 78 points in four days to Leeds and the Red Devils, who march on impressively in Super League’s top two.

On the first weekend of October last year, Salford had one foot in the Championship as they trailed Hull KR 18-10 in the closing stages of the Million Pound Game. The same day, Warrington were starting their preparations for a Super League Grand Final they would narrowly lose to Wigan.

Less than eight months on, the clubs are heading in opposite directions, with Smith quizzed on his future and counterpart Ian Watson asked whether his side can win the competition.

Watson said: “We won’t look that far ahead.

“If we start to get carried away thinking we can win the comp then we’ll lose sight of what’s important. We know where we want to be.”

A seventh straight win means they fully deserve to be discussed among Super League’s elite, and they won despite resting captain Michael Dobson among others.

Todd Carney was superb in his place, while the left-wing partnership of Junior Sa’u and Niall Evalds collected five tries, with the latter scoring a hat-trick.

In contrast Smith said: “If it was all smiles and roses there wouldn’t be many of us around.

“We’ve got to tough it out and work hard. We’re hurting – it’s been a tough few days.”

The Wolves struggled from the moment Jake Bibby opened the scoring in the 14th minute, with Sa’u crossing twice and Evalds once before the break.

Evalds completed his treble before the hour, and although Tom Lineham added to Brad Dwyer’s first-half effort for Warrington, Kriss Brining deservedly had the final word for Salford.