Price didn’t consider dropping Chris Hill pre-game before baby drama

Warrington coach Steve Price said he didn’t consider withdrawing Chris Hill from his match day squad, despite the prospect of losing him mid-game.

Hill was forced to depart the Wolves’ season opener against Leeds early in the second half as his wife Kathryn, who was at the game, had gone in to labour with their fourth child.

Price said: “It was never thought of really. We were aware pre-game that she was having a few contractions prior to the game, but it’s one of those things and the timing fell in Leeds’ favour I suppose.

“I’ve never been in that situation. It is what it is. It’s important that Chris did the right thing and he was by his wife’s side.

“Chris made the decision and we fully support him.”

Whether Hill would have made a difference to the Wolves’ second half efforts remains a mystery, though Warrington probably did enough to get more out of a game that they eventually lost 16-12.

Ryan Hall’s blistering 60 metre try gave the Rhinos a cushion that meant even when Tom Lineham was gifted a score two minutes from time, Warrington couldn’t get back in to it.

They were held over the line five times in Price’s first game as a Super League coach, while Ryan Atkins bombed a try scoring chance late on with a now infamous dive to the corner.

He added: “It was a good starting point. I’m sure if he (Ryan) had his time again he’d get down low and dive for that corner, but we had a number of chances and got over five times and were held up, so credit to Leeds’ defence.”