Smith: High intensity
- Harry Smith insists Wigan Warriors will take positives from an intense training week at Robin Park Arena.
- Smith: “We can take positives that this is an opportunity to work in short, sharp sessions, whilst building togetherness.”
- Limited tickets remain for our Betfred Super League visit to Hull KR online HERE.
Harry Smith insists wigan warriors will take positives from an intense training week ahead of a highly anticipated betfred super league visit to hull kr.
Despite having a blank fixture weekend after being knocked out the Betfred Challenge Cup, Matt Peet’s side are working to a high intensity at Robin Park Arena in preparation for next Friday night’s clash against unbeaten Hull KR at Sewell Group Craven Park.
In a repeat of last season’s Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford, which the Warriors won 9-2 to complete a historic Grand Slam, the Robins and the Warriors are set to meet in front of a sold out crowd in West Hull – limited tickets remain available to purchase HERE.
Smith believes the Warriors will head into the clash highly motivated off the back of an intense training schedule: “Of course we’d rather be playing in the cup this weekend, but we’ve got to take the positives from the situation we are in to keep moving forwards.
“It’s hard to get high intensity sessions in all the time because you always have one eye on being fresh for the game. We can take positives that this is an opportunity to work in short, sharp sessions, whilst building togetherness. Hitting the intensity high this week will put us in great stead leading into Hull KR.”
Looking ahead to the clash against the Robins, Smith said: “It’ll be massive. They’re unbeaten so far this season, they’ll be out for revenge from the Grand Final and Craven Park is a tough place to go which all presents a difficult challenge. Both teams have motivating factors which will form a great game between two strong sides.”
The Warriors sit third in the Super League table after six rounds – four points behind leaders Hull KR – with the best attacking record in the competition. Smith admitted the Warriors have had a ‘mixed’ start to the campaign, after a historic win in Las Vegas was followed by a Challenge Cup exit.
“Our motivation to winning in Las Vegas, and achieving that, was brilliant although the result against Hull FC put a downer on things,” Smith said. “Our performances, the way we want to play, and our attitude has been right but now we need to keep pushing on to get momentum in our season.”
The Warriors half-back has recorded seven Super League assists so far this season, and reflecting on his start, Smith said: “My role is to organise but this season I’ve tried adding more off the cuff rugby to my game. Last year I was creating space for others to get the assists but now I’m working hard on getting in the right place at the right time myself. I’ve spent a lot of time with coaches and that will continue through the season.”
More than 50,000 supporters registered for the Ashes tickets in the priority sale ahead of the three-match series at Wembley Stadium, Everton Stadium and AMT Headingley Stadium this autumn.
Sharing his excitement and motivation, Smith, who is an avid Everton fan, said: “The whole series will be brilliant. It’s such a big occasion that players and supporters can look forward to. The possibility of playing at Wembley for my country is special, and to be one of the first teams to experience Everton’s new stadium will make that test extra special.
“The first step though is to keep playing well to earn selection. The Super League competition has started strongly and having an Ashes series at the end of the season will provide extra motivation for players to show Waney and his staff we can do a job at the next level.”
Remaining tickets for the Ashes Test series this autumn will be available to purchase on general sale on Monday 14 April.
