Harris promises powerful statement
Iestyn Harris promised a “powerful statement” from the Crusaders within the next seven days after his players had sent their own proud message to rugby league fans and officials with a rampant display at Belle Vue.
Harris refused to answer questions after this seven-try romp, instead issuing a brief statement that only added to the intrigue after a dramatic week.
Harris said: “I’d like to thank all the players for all their efforts today in really difficult circumstances. They did themselves and their families proud.
“We’ve got a meeting with the RFL this week and we’ll be making a statement or a press conference on the back of that. That press conference will be the back end of next week.
“We’ve nothing else to say. We don’t want to say anything more. We’ll make a powerful statement at the end of the week.”
Cheered on by 150 travelling fans, Crusaders were too good from start to finish in a performance that left John Kear understandably embarrassed.
Lincoln Withers‘ try was the only thing that split the teams at half time, but there was never any suggestion that Wakefield would come good.
Never mind an afternoon celebrating their unexpected Super League lifeline – they looked as though it had been themselves that had been culled from rugby league’s top flight as they plodded through a dire 80-minute performance.
Kear said: “It was woeful. The first half was acceptable because it was competitive, but the second half was woeful.
“You can see why the spectators were disgruntled. In all honesty, I can’t argue with them. If I’d have paid my money I’d have been disgruntled about a team that looked as if they didn’t care and weren’t trying.
“It’s a very strange reaction. The Crusaders’ reaction was very admirable. Ours was the opposite.
“There are some players out of contract looking to stay here or move elsewhere, but they won’t do it playing like that. We’ve reacted in a surreal way to what’s been a surreal week.”
Two tries from Lloyd White in the first nine minutes of the second half put the result beyond doubt, and the visitors cruised through the final half hour.
Stuart Reardon finished Tony Martin‘s fine break, Vince Mellars powered through, Jordan James went under the posts and Elliot Kear showed great pace to finish in the corner.
Josh Veivers got Wakefield’s only score, but his effort mattered little in an afternoon that raised another series of difficult questions.