A PLAYER who perhaps goes unheralded among the Warrington Wolves squad was singled out for praise by Sky Sports’ pundits following the victory over Leeds Rhinos.

Both Sam Tomkins and Jon Wilkin had good words to say about Josh Drinkwater after the scrum-half helped The Wire to a 30-18 victory on Thursday night.

The Australian, who has often come in for criticism from sections of the Wire fanbase since joining from Catalans Dragons last year, started the season as George Williams’ half-back partner but a spell out through injury allowed youngster Leon Hayes to take the number seven role.

However, Hayes’ season-ending ankle injury has allowed the more experienced man to step back in and since coming back into the side in Round 10, Drinkwater has been ever-present.

“Since he’s got back into this Warrington side, Josh Drinkwater has changed a few things,” said Tomkins – a former teammate of Drinkwater’s in Perpignan.

“The effort areas – I’ve played with Josh and he’s not known for his effort areas all the time, but the way in which he’s chasing kicks and filling space means he’s certainly changed something.”

Wilkin added: “A word on Josh Drinkwater – he was out of favour and looking like he was on the outer, but I think he’s got something to add. His short kicking game is clutch at times.”

(Image: Neil Ashurst/P&B Pictures)

The victory was The Wire’s third in a row, with a quick start proving decisive.

Two tries in the opening five minutes say them go 12-0 up, with another quickfire double at the end of the first half seeing them head into the break 24-4 up.

However, the second half was much nervier as the Rhinos put up more of a fight and both pundits agreed that, with games against fellow high-fliers coming up, they will need to improve going forward.

“I think they were a little bit scrappy tonight,” Tomkins said.

“In the second half with them having two sin-binnings – at times they gave a pressure release to this Leeds side.

“They were a lot more ruthless last time out against Huddersfield and I think Sam Burgess will have a lot to work on from that, although it was a win.”

Wilkin added: “It’s sometimes tricky when you’re convincingly ahead at half time to maintain that level of focus and attention to detail.

“Warrington are second in the table now and Sam Burgess knows they’re in an incredibly tough run of fixtures now. They’re going to need to be better than that and they’re going to need to improve.

“They’ve got Wigan and St Helens coming up, they play St Helens again just before the end of the year and it’s important for them to be consistent throughout games.

“They were a bit scratchy in that second half.”