Warriors win appeal
BLAKE AUSTIN’S fancy footwork is catching the eye at Warrington – on and off the pitch.
The Australian half-back was the Wolves’ key close-season capture.
And he has already shown flashes of brilliance as Steve Price’s side set about trying to end their 64-year title drought.
Off the field he looks every bit as smart after shipping over his collection of trainers, which are worth more than £20,000, from Down Under.
Austin said: “It’s a bit of an expensive habit. I’ve got 20-odd pairs of high-end designed sneakers, and a fair few more run-of-the-mill, every day kind as well.
“We umm’d and aah’d about bringing a container over from Australia because it costs about $8,000 (£4,300 approx).
“But value-wise my sneakers were worth more than that and made it worthwhile sending a container on their own, and this way we could bring our furniture over too.
“I’ve only got one son and I’m praying he grows up to be a size 12 so I can go ‘here you go’ and pass them on. I need to enjoy them before the kids grow up because he’s already asked me for a pair of Yeezys.
“When you’ve got four kids and they start putting their orders in there will be a lot less money for my habit – and my partner likes her shoes as well.”
Austin’s pricey hobby might seem unlikely in the world of rugby league – but he already has one dressing room ally.
He said: “Josh Charnley has got a good collection as well, and he seems to be Mr Connect over here in this country.
“He knows people in all kinds of different industries, and he’s a bit more fortunate than me, he seems to get a fair few of his for free. I need to get to know his contacts a bit better.”
Reaction
Having lost their undefeated record at Catalans, the Wolves hope to get back on track against leaders Castleford tonight.
The club will become the first in Europe to have fans take part in a light show by downloading an app onto their phones – but coach Steve Price is more concerned with a reaction to their French defeat.
Price said: “The good thing is we’ve got a quick turnaround so we can put things right straight away.” WIGAN have regained the two points they had deducted for breaching the 2017 salary cap.
The independent Sport Resolutions ruled the punishment should be suspended for 12 months and fined the Warriors £5,000 after they appealed.
It means the Super League champions will have two points added to this season’s total immediately.
Out-of-form five-time champions Wigan move off zero points up to 10th in the table.
Wigan chairman Ian Lenagan said: “We are now able to draw a line under this issue and are pleased that the Sports Resolutions independent panel have reached what we have always believed to be the correct decision.
“Throughout this process we have acknowledged the administrative errors that resulted in this technical breach.
“And I’d like to say again that we apologise unreservedly for the errors and accept a fine of this level is justified.”