Transfers
In: Greg Inglis (free), Robbie Mulhern (Hull KR), Rob Butler (London).
Out: Harvey Livett, Declan Patton (both Salford), George Roby (Huddersfield), Nathan Roebuck, Tom Burnett (both Leigh), Ben Murdoch-Masila (NZ Warriors), Reece Hamlet (Bradford), Callum Green (Oldham), Sammy Kibula (Newcastle), Riley Dean (York), Anthony Gelling, Leilani Latu (released).
Inglis is back - and nearing full fitness
Super League’s ultimate superstar for the class of 2021, Greg Inglis, is set to miss out Warrington Wolves’ first game of the new campaign as he continues to return to full fitness.
Inglis, a true legend of the world game, has not played since retiring in April 2019 after scoring 150 tries in a career that began with Melbourne Storm in 2005 and took in eight years at South Sydney.
Signed by Warrington in May last year, ‘G.I.’ has been put through his paces by the Wolves’ conditioning staff since his arrival but is not going to be risked until coach Steve Price is happy that he is absolutely right.
“I’m not going to say he’ll miss one or two or three or four. I’ll sit down and have that discussion with Greg,” said Price.
“One thing I do know is that he’s working extremely hard and putting a lot of volume into his legs. We have a responsibility to make sure that he is right and we keep him healthy.
“People have got to realise that he has been out of the game for quite some time and he’s doing all he can to get back on the field as quick as he can. He won’t play this week and when he will play I’m not quite sure.”
Despite the cautious approach, Price says Inglis, capped 39 times by Australia, cannot wait to run out in the primrose-and-blue and enjoy an Indian summer to his career: “He’s a class player. You can see in certain aspects of how he moves he’s a gamer. He’s a rugby league player. He wants the ball in his hands.
“He’s not fond of all the flogging type-stuff, he’s a natural football player. He’s going to be a really good asset to our club and it’s about adding value to our football club and I am confident he will do that.”
With a new year comes a new captain, with Jack Hughes leading the Wolves on the field this year after previously sharing the role with Chris Hill.
And Price has been impressed with how he has taken to the sole captaincy during pre-season training.
“Jack has really embraced the captaincy and how he’s driven his men throughout pre-season has been A-1,” he added.
“He’s only going to get better and better throughout the season through the more experience he gets.”
Prediction
Warrington will be hoping that this will finally be their year, with Greg Inglis tasked with leading the Wolves to their first Super League crown.
But despite his obvious talent, the 34-year-old hasn't played any competitive footy in almost two years. That said, his presence in the dressing room is sure to do wonders for the progression of the exciting youngsters coming through the ranks.
But unless Inglis can roll back the years, we can't see the Wolves having enough to topple either Wigan Warriors or St Helens.
VAVEL Predicts - 3rd.