Big Tony test

TONY SMITH is facing the sort of horror statistic that lost his predecessor the job and got him into the hot seat.

A third Super League defeat on the bounce for Warrington at Salford today would leave them rooted to the foot of the table.

It would also be the first time that the Wolves have started the season with three defeats since 2009, when James Lowes lost his job.

This time, however, Smith is in no danger of the axe – as he only has to look back two weeks for inspiration. That was when his Wolves turned in a sensational display to beat NRL side Brisbane Broncos 27-16 in the World Club Series.

And Smith wants a repeat of that, ® rather than the under-par displays in the defeats by Catalans and Devils coach Ian Watson is braced Castleford. for a similarly close battle today –

He said: “Our defence was poor especially after Warrington’s against Cas, and there’s been erratic start to the season. plenty of work done on that in He said: “They will not be training this week. happy that they have lost their first two league games so they will be aiming to put it right.

“As we saw against Broncos, if they want to turn it on, they can do. They are a great team and we need to be ready.”

Todd Carney is not fit enough to make his Salford debut, while Justin Carney serves the second of a two-match suspension.

Warrington are still without Stefan Ratchford, Chris Hill, Ben Currie and Kevin Perry but fullback Kurt Gidley is fit again.

In today’s other Super League game Widnes travel to Catalans also hoping to avoid a third successive defeat after losing to Huddersfield and Wigan.

The Dragons are unbeaten and Vikings coach Denis Betts said: “We have never won in Catalans, so it is a big challenge for us.”

Misses

“Some individuals normally very good in defence were coming up with way too many misses, so that needs to improve enormously.

“If we perform badly as a team we’ll be disappointed because we are all about performance.

“If we perform really well and don’t happen to win, then there’s not really much we can do. But if we do show up and play well the result should take care of itself.”

Warrington second-rower Jack Hughes said: “It is a must-win game. We want to perform as best we can, but the game is definitely one we have to win.”

At Salford’s AJ Bell Stadium 12 months ago Warrington needed a last-gasp drop goal to come back from 30-12 down to win 31-30. Red