IC BOMB Chester exit a shock
TOM JOHNSTONE has vowed to help Wakefield finish with a bang to help banish the blues currently hanging over the club. Trinity sprung a surprise by sacking coach Chris Chester (above) this week in the wake of their embarrassing loss to Huddersfield Giants.
The 22-18 defeat, after being 18-0 up in 14 minutes, was their fifth on the trot and only promoted, win-less Leigh Centurions have a worse record this year. It’s a sorry saga that wing star Johnstone insists has to end, starting against Warrington today.
H e said: “We were under the illusion that Chezzy was going to be here next year so we were all a bit shocked to get told he had gone.
“It is kind of our fault that this has happened and we need to pick it up.
“There is a bit of a buzz to try and finish the season well.
“It has been pretty awful this year and we need to try and redeem ourselves for our pride.”
Assistant coach Willie Poching has been put in interim charge following Chester’s exit after more than five years at the club.
It was confirmed this week that one club will definitely be relegated this season, despite the problems Covid has wreaked on teams and the fixture programme.
That leaves Leigh in grave danger, having lost all 16 of their games so far, with only a few weeks of the regular season left.
But Johnstone, 26, said: “If Leigh go on any sort of run, we could end up in trouble. We need to rescue our season.”
Warrington have won eight of their last nine league games but coach Steve Price was only able to name a 19-man provisional squad due to bans and injuries.
He admits he’s wary of the effect Poching could have, saying: “It may give them a different stimulation.
“As an 18 or 19-year-old I played with wild Willie at St George Illawarra Dragons and he’s a terrific guy. He’s a bit older and helped me out coming through the grades.
“He understands the game really well and I’m sure he will have a good impact.”
Wolves star Gareth Widdop returns after four weeks out with a knee injury.