Warrington coach Steve Price voices his disapproval of ban on try celebrations

Correspondent

Warrington coach Steve Price slammed the game’s authorities for banning try celebrations after watching his side reach the last four of the Challenge Cup with a 20-18 win over St Helens.

Former England winger Josh Charnley scored two of his side’s four tries as the Wolves edged a thrilling quarter-final at the AJ Bell Stadium, where the scores were marked with muted fist pumps.

Price says his players have become demoralised after being threatened with £250 fines for celebrating tries during the coronavirus pandemic.

REPORT: Warrington 20-18 St Helens: Wolves edge past Saints in Challenge Cup classic

Price said: “I don’t agree with that. There is a lot of frustration amongst our players.

“I can’t understand how that’s been brought in. All kids play rugby league for fun and togetherness and I feel the powers above need to show some empathy and sympathy for the players.

“To take away try scoring celebrations is demoralising and not good for the game. The players are going above and beyond to keep this game afloat and you play rugby to celebrate those moments.”

A repeat of last year’s Wembley final between Super League’s form teams lived up to its billing as the holders held on for a victory that secured a 10th semi-final appearance in the last 12 years.

Price added: “It was a good old tough game of rugby league. There were two quality teams going hard at it and we were good enough to get the win.

“I thought we created plenty of opportunities in the first half. We couldn’t convert them into points but we were gritty defensively, we kept turning up for each other.

“I was really pleased with the confidence and belief that has been growing over the last couple of weeks. They got a lot of confidence out of what the young kids had done.

“We had seven players back and you could tell they were under-done with match fitness but we were good enough to overcome that.”

Price was especially delighted with the performance of centre Anthony Gelling, who scored his side’s first try and then created one for Charnley.

Price said: “It was his best game by far. Over on that right edge he was really solid and his carries out of back field were awesome.”

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