IT is probably too big a stretch to say Warrington Wolves enjoy being down to 12 men, but it is certainly something that does not appear to faze them.
Yellow and red cards have been a hot topic for The Wire of late, with cards being shown to Warrington players in each of their past four games.
In total, a Wire player has been shown a card in 13 of their 29 fixtures in all competitions in 2024, with their total standing at 14 yellow cards and two reds, but of those games, only four have ended in defeat.
Two of those came during Saturday’s win over St Helens, with Lachlan Fitzgibbon shown a yellow card in the first half before Josh Thewlis was sin-binned as the final hooter sounded.
Sam Burgess’ side have spent 232 minutes of playing time with 12 men, plus another 10 minutes with 11 men during the Round 18 win at St Helens in which Matty Nicholson was sin-binned after James Harrison had been sent off.
That amounts to the equivalent of just over three full games being played at least one man light – but their record within those periods is an impressive one.
Their points difference during their periods down to 12 is actually positive – 62 points scored, 46 conceded – while they have scored 10 tries compared to eight conceded.
And of the 13 periods in which they have been down a player, they have outscored their opposition in eight of them.
Here is a look at all of the instances in which The Wire have been down to 12 – and indeed 11 – men so far this season…
Warrington Wolves with 12 men in 2024 – the complete record
Round One – Catalans (A) – lost 16-10
10 minutes (Jordy Crowther sin bin)
2 points conceded, zero scored
Round Two – Hull FC (H) – won 34-10
10 minutes (Sam Powell sin bin)
Zero points conceded, 6 scored (one try)
Round Six – Catalans (H) – lost 32-24
10 minutes (Paul Vaughan sin bin)
6 points conceded (one try), zero scored
Round 12 – Catalans (A) – won 16-8
10 minutes (Lachlan Fitzgibbon sin bin)
2 points conceded, zero scored
Challenge Cup Final v Wigan – lost 18-8
10 minutes (Matt Dufty sin bin)
Zero points conceded, 2 scored
Round 15 – Hull FC (A) – won 24-18
10 minutes (Adam Holroyd sin bin)
Zero points conceded, 6 scored (one try)
Round 17 – Leeds (H) – won 30-18
15 minutes (George Williams and Matty Ashton sin bins)
10 points conceded (two tries), 6 scored (one try)
Round 18 – St Helens (A) – won 24-10
51 minutes + 10 with 11 men (James Harrison red card and Matty Nicholson sin bin)
10 points conceded (two tries), 12 scored (two tries)
Round 19 – Wigan (A) – won 40-4
7 minutes (Matt Dufty sin bin)
Zero points conceded, 6 scored (one try)
Round 22 – Leeds Rhinos (Magic Weekend) – won 24-6
10 minutes (Rodrick Tai sin bin)
6 points conceded (one try), zero scored
Round 23 – Castleford (A) – won 28-6
10 minutes (Luke Yates sin bin)
Zero points conceded, 6 scored (one try)
Round 24 – Leigh (A) – lost 16-12
69 minutes (Paul Vaughan red card)
10 points conceded (two tries), 12 scored (two tries)
Round 25 – St Helens (H) – won 16-2
10 minutes (Lachlan Fitzgibbon and Josh Thewlis sin bins)
Zero points conceded, 6 scored (one try)
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