STEVE Price says poor ruck control was the most disappointing aspect of last night’s defeat to Wigan Warriors.

However, he retains full belief that his squad has what it takes to win the Challenge Cup at Wembley next week.

The Wire found themselves 18-0 down at the break and despite a second-half improvement, they eventually fell to a 20-6 defeat at the DW Stadium.

Price accepted his players’ minds may have wandered to the meeting with St Helens next week but was encouraged by their display after the break.

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“I’d like to think we didn’t have eyes on the final, but they only are human,” he said.

“Rugby league is a simple game and if you can’t control the ruck, you’re always going to be on the back foot.

“I’m very encouraged by the second half. We got a response out of the lads but it shouldn’t have to come to that.

“It was way too fast for us in the first half, both defensively and offensively.

“We had a lot of good contacts in that second half. We invested a lot more in our defence.

“We had that at the start of the first half but there was a block before half-time that was unacceptable.

“They scored a couple of quick tries and we were on the back foot.”

Warrington Guardian:

Steve Price addresses the media following the defeat to Wigan. Picture by Mike Boden

> How the game was lost

Bevan French, George Williams and Zak Hardaker all scored to give Wigan control before the interval and it proved a decisive advantage.

After the break, Declan Patton had two tries ruled out by video referee Chris Kendall before Tom Lineham eventually got Warrington’s only consolation.

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“I was disappointed not to get the second Dec Patton try. I thought that was clearly a try,” Price said.

“We were changing the momentum of the game at that point.

“Credit to Wigan, they were worthy winners.

“I’ve been in this situation before and I know how to win big games “Form goes out of the window and I’ve got a group of men who know what it takes.

“It’s going to a special performance against the best team in the competition and we may be the biggest Challenge Cup Final underdogs in history.

“Even though we’ve had a couple of tough losses of late, we still have a strong belief among our group.

“We’ll go down to Wembley and give it a big shot.”

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Full video reaction above