Wakefield Wildcats: We can end our losing run – Webster

WAKEFIELD Trinity Wildcats head coach James Webster insists his side can end an eight-match losing run in Super League tomorrow.
James Webster.James Webster.
James Webster.

Friday’s 44-16 Challenge Cup victory over Championship side Halifax has brought some welcome relief to the club and they will now seek to build on that back in the league competition when Wigan Warriors arrive at Belle Vue.

Webster, who will hand a debut to Widnes Vikings loan signing prop Ben Kavanagh, accepts it will be a tough task against one of the leading sides.

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“Last week’s training was key and I’m hoping the players will identify that intensity is the level we have to get to most weeks to be competitive,” he said.

“We have tried replicating it this week but we know Wigan are one of the form teams in Super League.

“We’ll need to be very good and you have to try going toe-to-toe with them.

“Warrington tried it last week and managed it for while but Wigan are a big, physical side and they wear you down.

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“It’s important we hang onto the ball and make our one-on-one tackles; that’s been our Achilles heel this year.”

Wakefield will look for a repeat of last June’s fixture when they won 36-28, one of Webster’s first games since replacing Richard Agar.

“We know it’s different circumstances now but we made small strides versus Halifax,” he added.

“Now we need to make bigger strides. Ben Kavanagh will come straight in.

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“Chris Annakin’s back fit but he’s not played for three months, Ian Kirke’s played just once this year and Lopini Paea and Scott Anderson are both out so we need some size and power.

“I’m sure he’ll be a little unsure of himself but it’ll be good to have him in.”