CHRIS Bridge has been praised for his emergency work.
Warrington Wolves’ head of coaching and rugby Tony Smith was full of admiration for the way in which the centre or half back filled in on the wing as the team gained an 18-16 win against Hull FC at the KC Stadium on Saturday.
Bridge, who was actually named at full back on the team sheet but never figure there at any point in the game, and centre Vinnie Anderson paired up together on the right for the first time in a game and it was a huge result for Warrington that the winning try came on that side of the field, with Anderson the scorer.
Their combination came together after a reshuffle brought about by Chris Hicks (groin), Matt King (calf) and Paul Johnson (shoulder) withdrawing with injuries, while Lee Briers returned to the backline on his return from hamstring trouble.
Smith said: “Both boys (Anderson and Bridge) were going to play different positions in the game up until Thursday so that gives you an idea of how much preparation they got. And it looked that way, too, at times.
“They haven’t played in that combination before but have trained in that combination.
“There were some moments that weren’t fluent but sometimes you have to make do when you get injuries.
“However, the winning try did come down that side and they finished it off nicely and both of them had some good efforts in amongst it.
“I thought Chris Bridge was very good in a week in which we lost three wingers.
“In our first half, I thought he was our best player. He had some energy and I thought he was outstanding carrying the ball.
“We lost Hicks, King and Johnson and it’s not the way you want to end a week but the boys who stepped up did a very good job.”
Bridge scored the try that put Wolves back in striking distance at 16-10 with 18 minutes to go.
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