Magic incentive for Warrington
Warrington Wolves coach Tony Smith believes Millennium Magic will give his players an extra incentive to compete for first team places in Engage Super League XVI when the season kicks-off on Saturday February 12.
The back-to-back Carnegie Challenge Cup winners recovered from a disappointing 2009 Engage Super League season with a third-place finish in 2010 but failed to make it past Round Two of the play-offs after being knocked out by Millennium Magic opponents Huddersfield Giants.
Head coach Tony Smith is no stranger to Grand Final triumphs having won two with his former club Leeds Rhinos and this year hopes to guide Warrington to their first Engage Super League Grand Final appearance.
“All the players are excited to start the season and get back to playing competitively,” said Smith. “They want to kick-off our Super League campaign well.
“After training for so long, they look forward to start playing again. We have a couple of friendly matches before the season starts and they are all vying for positions as everyone is eager to be involved in the opening weekend.
“Millennium Magic is a great incentive for the players to strive for first team places as they don’t want to miss out. It’s a great atmosphere down at the Millennium Stadium and I have enjoyed it myself as a coach and a spectator. It will be a fantastic weekend.”
For new signing Joel Monaghan, this will be his first taste of the Magic Weekend and an experience he is eager to be involved in.
“I can’t wait for the Magic Weekend,” said the former Canberra Raiders player. “I didn’t know much about the event until recently and I think it is a great concept to get all of these great games on the same weekend in one stadium.
“It will be my first chance to see all of the competition we have in Super League this year and I am really looking forward to it.
“This year is going to be a new challenge, very different to playing in the NRL and I can’t wait to get started. Warrington Wolves are a remarkable team and have impressed me greatly since I have arrived with a fantastic squad and a great set up. I am looking forward to getting stuck in.”