Warrington Wolves talking points after London Broncos win

Indeed, perhaps the only way in which it could have been topped was if it turned out to be enough to snatch second spot, but they certainly did their part on the night.

Another crushing ‘nilling’ of an opponent – this time London Broncos – sends them into the play-offs in good shape and looking well-prepared for what is to come.

Our Wire reporter Matt Turner picks out five key talking points from the game here in “The Morning After”

Wire in fine fettle

Of course, nothing other than a Warrington victory was expected by most of those either turning up at The Halliwell Jones Stadium or tuning into the game on television.

However, the way in which it came about will no doubt have pleased Sam Burgess greatly.

In every possible respect, The Wire were dominant – defensively, they went hunting for the Broncos and did not let up on that front, frequently pinning their opponents deep inside their own half.

With the ball, there were still signs that things could be a little tidier, which seems a strange thing to say when a team has just won 54-0, but they were still way too hot for the Broncos to handle.

Of course, the tests they will face are about to get much, much harder but going into them having won their past two games by an aggregate score of 120-0 and having not conceded a try in three full matches? You cannot ask for much more than that.

Wire ran in 10 tries in total against London and also avoided conceding one for the third game in a row (Image: Neil Ashurst/P&B Pictures)

Top of two piles

The extent of which Warrington have won their past two matches has seen them surge to the top of two key statistics as the regular season comes to a close.

With 740 points scored across their 27 games at an average just over 27 per game, they now officially possess Super League’s leading attack having jumped ahead of both Wigan Warriors (723) and Hull KR (719) in that respect.

What will delight Burgess more, however, is that having conceded just 319 points (11.8 per game on average), they finish the regular rounds with the competition’s best defensive record too.

They are both fine feathers to have in the cap, but no doubt Burgess would swap both of those for a slightly higher finish in the table.

Wire finish the regular season having scored more points and conceded fewer than every other Super League side (Image: Neil Ashurst/P&B Pictures)

Ashton the unstoppable

Is there a player in better try-scoring form than Matty Ashton right now?

Wigan’s Liam Marshall may have a good case, but the Wire man’s numbers of late are incredible as he continues to look unstoppable.

A second hat-trick in a row means his last 11 Super League games have yielded 16 tries. He finishes the regular season with 21 league tries and 28 in all competitions.

And it’s not as though he’s just dotting the ball down either – he continues to be a proficient metre-maker when getting his side off their own line while also being an excellent defender.

As they enter to do-or-die part of the season, having a key attacking weapon in the form of his life can only aid their cause.

Matty Ashton scored a hat-trick for the second game in a row (Image: SWPix.com)

Nicholson slots in seamlessly

Having played on the right edge for the vast majority of 2024, John Bateman’s arrival followed by Lachlan Fitzgibbon’s injury struggles have forced a switch of sides for Matty Nicholson.

However, it is one he has made to look extremely simple.

Indeed, moving over to the left-hand side appears to have unlocked more attacking intent from the NRL-bound back-rower, who has now scored braces in back-to-back games.

In all, he has scored five tries in his past four matches having only crossed four times prior to this little purple patch.

Combine that with his already-proven defensive prowess and it is easy to see why Canberra Raiders were so keen to snap him up.

Matty Nicholson now has five tries in his last four appearances (Image: Neil Ashurst/P&B Pictures)

The real thing begins

And so, seven months of posturing and jostling for position is at an end. Now it’s time for the juicy stuff.

Barring a logic-defying and frankly impossible 181-point victory for Catalans Dragons against Hull FC on Saturday, St Helens will be Warrington’s visitors in next weekend’s eliminator round.

It’s at this first stage where Wire’s last four play-off campaigns have fallen down, including at Saints’ hands last year.

Both clubs are in completely different places now and having beaten their neighbours three times this season, Burgess’ boys will start as favourites.

But despite this being an extremely tough year for Saints, this is a club and a group of players well-versed in getting the job done when it matters.

St Helens at home, Hull KR away – the road to Old Trafford is now mapped out in full.

Wire will face St Helens in the eliminator round (Image: Neil Ashurst/P&B Pictures)