From the WG-

WARRINGTON'S head of coaching and rugby Tony Smith repeated his vow that Wolves would win the Super League soon after they suffered their third Grand Final loss in five years.

Although they had chances, they were left to rue those close calls in both halves that handed the 12-6 victory to Wigan.

Smith said: "We had a few opportunities throughout the game where we crossed the try line, or was close to doing so.

"We needed to take those chances. It was not to be tonight.

"It was costly in such a tight match.

I knew it was going to be tight match and that is how it panned out."

Chris Sandow came on midway through the second half and he showed threat every time he had the ball.

Smith said: "He showed some glimpses of what he is capable of. His first kick created an error.

"We tried hard. I am proud of my team's effort. They are a good bunch and worked hard for one another.

'But credit to Wigan, they were gritty but have opened up and ask a lot more questions now.

"They got some second phases and offloads that put them down the park.

"They are harder to coach against - that may be the bit that got them over the line.

"There are some sad faces, long faces. But I always say if you can't handle losing a final, don't compete in one.

"If some other bits and bobs had gone the other way then we would have had big smiles on our faces.

"It was a pretty tough game of rugby league."

Going forward Smith believes that the Wolves can learn from their defeats again.

He said: "Hopefully we can get smarter from today and use it. If you listen to great sportsmen like Michael Jordan about how many games he lost - they are inspirational. They need to learn from tough defeats.

"Maybe the last couple of years (of defeats) was the difference for Wigan. That may be the bit that got them over the line. That is what we will have to do.

"We will get that win soon, I thought that would be today.

"I am pretty confident it will happen soon.

"We are pretty close but did not quite get there. To be the best you have to win the Grand Final you have to be consistent all season and then step up in the final. That is pressure, but still the ultimate test.

"Close, but no cigar."

Translated he meant this was our best ever opportunity to get that trophy but we blew it(again)against what is not 1 of Wigan's best ever teams + the reason I say best ever is that most of the top teams Saints + Leeds especially have been average by their high standards + Hull obviously are still celebrating their Wembley win with their end of season slump so best ever chance.Yes.

I dint think it was our best opportunity. Having had commanding leads in previous finals n lost we were not in it from the start.

Ts said what was expected of him after another final loss. Does he deserve another attempt at it, provably we were missing some size in the pack which could have swung things our way, will our squad be better next season I hope so.

Our centres need addressing as does the wing position. If penny and Evans are still here next season I would not be as optimistic tho Leeds will be back up there catalans saints n Wigan will improve too as will hull fc

I don't think Hull will make higher than 6th.

Will be interesting to see how they go next year. Great from them to win a trophy and be in the mix for the GF but now the next challenge is to stay up there and not slip back down.

Serious question here- Were you surprised with your lack of adventure in the final? I've seen Wire throw the ball around and play with lots of flair but Saturday looked different. I said on the night that I was shocked at how little risk you'd played with. There seemed a reluctance to do anything different then scoot from dummy half and put bombs up from all over the place.

Grand Final night is a tense affair and it must be tough to take the handbrake off. I felt Wire looked as though the occasion had robbed a bit of freedom from them.

Don't forget Leyth.

Very true statement. We looked scared to death to try anything remotely expansive. It was far too easy for wigan to defend against.

Lack of adventure..Exactly what I said to my mate on the way out the ground, players too scared to make a mistake it was like watching England's footballers in a major tournament...
Probably as easy a nights work for the Wigan defence as they will ever have.

Are the bits a better pack and the bobs an attacking centre?



Haven't we had 2 GF final defeats and a CC defeat since 2012?




8 years and counting.

I've said it before....
Think what was missing from our GF game....

When in your lifetime have you ever, ever, seen a game between Warrington and Wigan, without a fight.
Biffless....that just about says everything.

I think Wigan were up for some, but the lack of aggressive intent from Wire meant that Wigan channeled that aggression they had into play attack.

Wigan wanted it and they got it.

That's the sense I got.

Funnily enough I went to flick the replay on about 10 mins ago and still had the Leeds final from 12 months back. I watched a quick 5 mins of it and Leeds were running us ragged with their offload game. They moved the ball around at pace and our defence was really struggling to hang in. They've been there and won it so many times though and that bought them freedom and belief.

You will win a GF, I'm sure if that but it will take one heck of a brave effort. The players need to stick to their principles and play the way you play week in week out.

I think our style of play was dictated by the previous defeat to Wigan and an obsession with "game management" but having forgotten that you have to build a decent lead first.

Thought at times that Wigan didn't want to know they were happy to grind out the tackles in both defence and attack and when in attack hope for a missed tackle to create a break. If we were on the ball and taken the chances we could have put 30 on them.

Well Nicky (I always look forward to your posts on here, a level headed Wiganer....who'd've thunk it), you only have to look at my opening post on the "home truths" thread. Smith has wrung EVERY bit of creativity out of us, in the last 2 or 3 years. We play formulaic NRL style rugby, where no risks and field position is the order of the day. At times, the players don't know what they're doing. They run across field, scared they daren't do anything "off the cuff", like we used to do years ago.
Counter this to Wigan's philosophy on Saturday, your players were throwing the ball about, with gay abandon. The most unWanelike performance I've seen, since he's been in charge. I've never seen your lot do so many looping/missing men out passes.

It's almost like Smith has told them, none of that Harem Globetrotters b0110cks, or I'll drop you, so the players simply take the easy option of driving, or scooting from dummy half.

DULL, DULL, DULL.