Sylvain Houles expresses disappointment in several decisions following defeat

Josh McAllister
Sylvain Houles Toulouse Olympique SWpix

Photo: Ed Sykes/SWpix

Toulouse head coach Sylvain Houles was disappointed in some of the decisions that went against his side during the defeat to Warrington.  

The French outfit fell to a 32-18 defeat at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Thursday.

Houles’ men had led 18-14 at half-time, scoring three unanswered tries in the final 10 minutes of the first half.

However, Daryl Powell’s Wire fought back through tries from Connor Wrench, George Williams and Ben Currie in the second 40.

Toulouse had two players sent to the sin-bin in the second half, one of which Houles questioned following the match.

“What was it for?” Houles asked regarding Harrison Hansen’s sin-binning. 

Meanwhile, Joe Bretherton was sent for 10 for a professional foul on Stefan Ratchford.

Sylvain Houles: ‘The referee didn’t give us anything in the second half’

“I’m disappointed because of the effort the boys put in and they don’t have the reward,” Houles said.

“The referee didn’t give us anything [in the second half]. He gave Warrington everything. I’m not too sure why the second sin-bin happened. That was frustrating. 

“At that stage when you have two players sent off, obviously it’s going to be crucial. It’s a tough game enough [with 13 men].”

Toulouse fell to a 11-2 penalty count. “We must be a very dirty team,” Houles concluded. 

Despite the defeat, Houles says his side still have a chance to retain their Super League status.

“The passion we play with and the will of surviving is there. There’s games left and we will give ourselves until the end.

“We’re not here to make numbers and we haven’t. That’s why it’s frustrating. We’re not far off and until the end we will fight.

“We need to survive. It’s important for our game and for the bigger picture. We’re fighting for our team, for our club and for French rugby league.”

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