Wolves chief explains ClubCall choice

Warrington chairman Steven Broomhead has revealed that the Wolves had all but decided their semi-final opponents before last weekend’s play-offs, giving them extra time to prepare for Thursday’s match.

The Wolves chose to face Huddersfield in the last four on Thursday, the first time that the lowest ranked team hasn’t been picked in the ClubCall announcement.

Broomhead was the man who made the announcement live on Sky Sports News on Sunday, in the absence of coach Tony Smith, who may yet still receive punishment from the RFL for not attending.

Broomhead said: “A lot of strategic analysis went into the thought process of the board’s decision.

“The board, perhaps unusually, has a close working relationship with the coaches and players, and they were of the view that they would go with whoever the board chose.

“In priniciple, it was likely that we would choose the winner of the Huddersfield and Hull game. We looked carefully at what happened with Leeds and Saints but it was always likely to be Huddersfield, as picking them gave us extra preparation time.

“Huddersfield’s preparation could only start a few days later and although they are really well-organised and good team, we have beaten them the last three times we have played them.

“We are very respectful of Huddersfield and we are all too aware that they beat us in a the play-offs a few years ago.

“ClubCall is a talking point and rugby league needs talking points, however the RFL should probably review it when they look at restructuring the leagues.”