Smith: Friendship with Trent is put to one side

Warrington coach Tony Smith has spoken of his friendship with Catalan coach Trent Robinson, but says that will be laid to one side on Monday.

Smith also says he and Robinson share similar opinions about the game, and are alike in how they coach their respective teams.

Both coaches go head-to-head on Monday at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Smith said: “I have a lot of respect for Trent on and off the field. We have some similar philosophies about the game and the way the game is played somewhat in the way our teams play.

“My nephew is the conditioner there as well, so I have some interest in how Catalan get on. But I won’t on Monday. We’ll put the friendship on hold for 80 minutes, but we pick that up after.”

Smith admits he has a great amount of respect for Robinson, and the team he has assembled together because both the Dragons and Wolves go out to entertain the fans.

Smith said: “I think Trent is an attacking minded coach, along with trying to have solid defence, but they really go for it.

“I like watching them and I think we have some similarities about our philosophies, which isn’t a bad thing.

“I don’t think its boring when you watch either one of these teams. Sometimes we might have an off day, but it’s not for lack of trying.

Warrington and Catalan have defeated each other already this season, with Catalan’s win coming on Easter Monday while the Wolves travelled to France for the Challenge Cup quarter final and were rewarded with a semi final tie against Huddersfield.

However Smith believes that quarter final defeat dented the Dragons’ confidence a little bit, and they will be out to avenge their Challenge Cup defeat.

Smith said: “I think they would have gone into that quarter final game feeling very confident about playing us.

“We didn’t perform pretty well and I think it did dent them a bit, maybe throw them out of their stride for the following few weeks.

“But they are back and back defending very well. They are not conceding many points but scoring plenty of points so they are in good form. They’ll come into the game very confident, while we need to dust ourselves off and we’ll be looking for a good performance.”