Wildcats must tackle problem
WAKEFIELD coach Brian Smith bemoaned his side’s defensive frailties after they were convincingly beaten by a vibrant Catalan side.
Smith steered the Wildcats to safety last season after they beat Bradford in the Million Pound Game, but the same problems remain.
The Dragons raced into a 26- 0 lead inside the opening half- hour with tries from Jodie Broughton, Dave Taylor, Pat Richards, Jason Baitieri and Glenn Stewart.
Wakefi eld steadied themselves and hit back with scores from Anthony Tupou and Joe Arundel to make it 26- 12 at the break.
Yet the visitors, who won just twice away from home last season, made their class pay again after the restart.
Further tries from Richie Myler and Tony Gigot ( two) ensured efforts from Reece Lyne, Tom Johnstone and Mickael Simon were mere consolations for the hosts.
Smith said: “We let ourselves down again defensively and if you concede 42 points, you’re not going to win. That was the most disappointing thing as we
WAKEFIELD
are generally better than that. It cost us .”
Meanwhile, Leigh scrum- half Ryan Brierley has become embroiled in a bitter war of words with the club as he attempts to engineer a way out.
Leigh suspended Brierley on Friday after it was leaked that he had activated a four- week release clause in his contract.
Brierley said: “I certainly will not have people lie about me.”
ENGLAND winger Joe Burgess scored two tries on his debut for Sydney Roosters as they lost 42- 10 to South Sydney in their opening game of the NRL season.
The match also marked the return of another England international, Sam Burgess, who was delighted to make a winning return.
“It’s good to be back, I’m happy to get the win,” said the Rabbitohs’ 2014 Grand Final hero who spent 2015 playing rugby union for Bath and England.