DARYL Powell was a happy man again post-match after watching his Warrington Wolves side make it two victories from as many Super League games on Friday night.
A superb defensive effort from The Wire saw them win 26-16 at Huddersfield Giants for just their third victory in the past 10 visits to the John Smith's Stadium.
Here is some of what he said during his post-match press conference...
Q: The saying goes that defence wins matches – was that as good a demonstration of that as you’ll see?
DP: I think they had 40-odd play-the-balls inside our half in the first half, so to keep them out like we did was a phenomenal effort.
There’s some bits that we’ll learn defensively as sometimes your second game finds you out a little bit, but that was a tough game.
Our middle unit was phenomenal and the whole team’s attitude was outstanding – it has been throughout pre-season and the three games we’ve had.
That’s a big win for us – not many teams come here and win so for us to come here and do that with 30-odd per cent territory is a good job.
Q: You’ve put a lot of work into your defence so to see that come to fruition must have been really pleasing for you?
DP: It’s a big thing in rugby league and it’s the toughest thing to do.
We got put under a bit of pressure and we were busted in that last five minutes – we were clinging on but I don’t think you’re going to question this team for commitment, spirit and desire.
I thought our supporters were fantastic tonight – the players gave as much back and the connection between the fans and the players was electric.
We’ve given them everything that they needed to enjoy their night so I’m really pleased about that.
Q: How critical was the timing of James Harrison’s try – at eight points up at the break, you expect them to come after you straight away but to get that try a minute or so into the second half felt like a big moment?
DP: We get a penalty from the kick-off and then Sam Kasiano is dangerous in those positions.
I was only talking to Jimmy a couple of weeks ago about him not having scored a try for us, and he does score tries.
He’s now scored in consecutive games, but it was really good from Sammy.
He’d been a bit off with his skill at the start of the game but he picked a really smart piece of play to get Jimmy over.
Q: Harrison did 55 minutes from the start – another really impressive showing from him?
DP: He’s not really training – he is but he’s not working at his hardest.
All we’re really doing at the moment is draining fluid off his knee, he’s doing a short stint two days before a game then a pretty short one the day before, then he’s turning in performances like he has.
Tom Mikaele and Joe Bullock have come in and done really well, Paul Vaughan is doing what he does and I thought Daryl Clark did a good job at 13 as well towards the back end of the game. He was really strong.
Q: You must have also been really pleased with the way your half-backs controlled things and finished your sets?
DP: There were some really outstanding kicks in the first half and they put us in great position.
They kicked well as well and completed high like they do, but that second half was just a battle and a real war of attrition.
How we hung in and kept them out until the back end, those sort of defensive efforts make you a really good rugby league team.
Q: Do you think those two late Huddersfield tries can show you what can happen if you switch off slightly or do you think that was a case of tiredness?
DP: We were pretty busted at the back end.
The Pryce try, Pete Mata’utia’s legs had gone as we’d had to put him into the back row.
We’re managing our middle unit at the moment as we’re a few players down, so Jimmy Harrison’s doing massive minutes and I’m putting Daryl Clark at 13. It’s hampering us a little bit.
I thought Adam Holroyd did a pretty good job – he’s a tough kid and he’s got a big future ahead of him – but we’re managing a middle unit and it’s hard but the two performances we’ve put in have been phenomenal considering that.
We knew this was going to be a completely different game as I never thought we were going to roll Huddersfield.
They’re very methodical, they put the ball in corners and they control territory. Although our defensive effort and rearguard action was great I thought we were a little bit loose around the ruck.
We dictated last week and we were 30-0 up at half time, but to come here and be under pressure and find a way to score points is impressive.
To get the latest from our dedicated, unrivalled Warrington Wolves coverage straight to your inbox, why not sign up for our free 'Wire Daily' newsletter?
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here