See more of your weekly Guardian at www.warringtonguardian.co.uk The Guardian October 12, 2006 - 37

See more of your weekly Guardian at www.warringtonguardian.co.uk The Guardian October 12, 2006 - 39

Lee Briers

hand during the eight months of term. His exemplary distribution on the right-hand words by side of the field, linking up with , Mike Parsons Martin Gleeson, Henry Fa'afili and , resulted in him being Wolves' most lethal attacking weapon. When passes were not on, he was just as dangerous running with the ball and regularly undoubtedly produced caught defences napping. That brought him > his best form in Warrington a 10-try haul, which was four more than the previous season. colours during the 2006 season. The outstanding try he scored straight from a He poured his heart and soul into attempting scrum against Salford at The Willows in August to steer Wolves into their first Grand Final, but was probably his best of the year. the term ended in tears at on Defensively, he stood up well to teams that September 30. considered his tackling as a weakness and he Wolves' skipper caught the eye so much often turned that into a positive with timely during engage XI that the interceptions - saving Wolves in dangerous 'Briers for Britain' campaign finally got through situations and turning defence into attack. to Lions coach Brian Noble, with the 28-year- But it was his kicking game that put him old gaining a call into the standby squad and well above the rest in the league - and his the advance touring party for this autumn's skill in that area would definitely be of Tri-Nations series Down Under. benefit to the national team. His leadership qualities were often praised by The percentage of his clearance kicks that head coach Paul Cullen, with the comments split and turned the receiving full back and after the club's first play-off win at Leeds winger - and often came to a halt close to particularly poignant. the opposition's try line - must have been Cullen praised Briers for dragging his team remarkably high. one season since arriving from St Helens in club's all-time points and goalscoring charts. back into the running after trailing early on There were a large number of cross-field kicks 1997 and was the best by a Warrington player It is no wonder that Wolves' current longest and added: "He's the smartest player in Super that produced tries in the corners, as did since John Woods in 1987/88. continuously serving player gained 'Player of League, bar none." grubbers directed towards the posts. His nine drop goals - including four in the win the Year' awards from the supporters, while he Briers, who may have a World Cup qualifier His pinpoint accuracy with place kicks and at Wigan in March - handed him the club also received more marks from Warrington date with Wales against Scotland at the end drop goals also came to the fore. record for drop goals in a career. Guardian reporters for 'Man of the Match' of the month, excelled with the ball in his The 114 goals he kicked was the highest in Briers' efforts in 2006 leave him at fourth in the ratings than any other player. 40 - The Guardian October 12, 2006 See more of your weekly Guardian at www.warringtonguardian.co.uk

A season in pictures < Henry Fa'afili touches down as Wolves record a second successive win at Bradford in April. The Kiwi winger ended the season with 24 tries - one more than he registered during 2005

< Toa Kohe-Love touches down in spectacular fashion against Harlequins. Kohe-Love's effort earned the supporters' 'Try of the Season' award

Paul Cullen in conversation with Brian Noble before Wolves' game at Wigan in June. Cullen has joined the Great Britain coach in the international set-up after being appointed as the new coach of the England team < See more of your weekly Guardian at www.warringtonguardian.co.uk The Guardian October 12, 2006 - 41

Danny Lima watches on from the sidelines after becoming < < Chris Bridge beats Dennis Moran to the ball on the way to a victim of the increased competition for places at the club a stunning try during Wolves' first win at Wigan in 13 years during 2006. Lima eventually cut his ties with Wolves and joined Salford on loan for the rest of the season

Warrington-born prop Steve Pickersgill sports the < 'Squadbuilder' badge on his shirt during Wolves' game at Wigan in June. The badge has been on show several times this year - with youngsters Michael Cooper, Chris Riley and Kevin Penny also making appearances in Super League Replacement half back Michael Sullivan trudges off as celebrate their shock Challenge < Cup quarter-final win in June. Lee Briers was ruled out of the game hours before kick-off slugs it out with Gray Viane during Wolves' 52-26 defeat at Castleford in July. Both players were sent to the sin bin after the altercation, while Paul > Wood and Cas' Ryan McGoldrick were later sent off for violent conduct

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Main talking points

Paul Rauhihi evades Richie Mathers and words by Chris Flanagan crosses in the opening stages of Wolves' < 44-16 drubbing of Leeds at The Halliwell Jones Stadium in May. Rauhihi produced NO ONE can complain that 2006 his best performance of the season in the game > has been boring for fans. One of those victories came against Hull - Fantastic victories, devastating defeats and their second victory against the Airlie Birds this the capture of one of the world's best year and their fifth win against a top four side. props… there have been no shortage of An early-season double over Bradford was talking points this year. followed by arguably their best performance The debate about whether the campaign of the season - a 44-16 thrashing of Leeds has been a success or a failure will rage on when Paul Rauhihi showed what he could do within the town, but Wolves' dramatic play-off when on top form. win at Leeds ensured they achieved one of Wolves, who proudly completed the signing their pre-season goals: to get closer to the of Great Britain forward in June Super League Grand Final than ever before. and added Paul Johnson to their 2007 squad The Leeds game will live long in the memory two months later, will be unhappy that Salford for those who were there - together with the completed a treble over them this year and recollection of Lee Briers' inspirational eventually finished above them in the league. performance and his stunning late drop goal. Letting the Catalans record their first away And even though Wolves narrowly failed to win in Super League at The Halliwell Jones build on their first play-off victory in the Super Stadium was another low point. League era - bravely losing 40-24 at Bradford the semi-finals but the Robins, going into the season - also played their part as Wolves lost But they also clinched their first win at Wigan in the elimination semi-final eight days later - game on the back of 17 straight wins, were seven of their next nine games, including a in 13 years and took more than 2,500 fans their end-of-season revival did much to no mugs and Briers' withdrawal from the 52-26 defeat at Castleford, who would with them on their first trip to France in four overshadow their disastrous Wolves line-up hours before kick-off proved to eventually be relegated. years, which ended with a comfortable win defeat at Hull KR in June. be fatal for Paul Cullen's men. Pressure began to mount on Cullen - against the Catalans. Wolves had already eased past London Cullen later admitted the seismic shock the prompting Briers to come out and defend his And the following took to Bradford in their last Skolars and Whitehaven before being 40-36 loss sent through the club was the main boss. play-off match - approximately 5,000 - shows handed a quarter-final trip to the only lower factor behind the slump that followed. But despite a 54-16 league defeat at Leeds, that whatever has happened this year, the division side left in the competition. Injuries - almost half of the squad had to Wolves recovered from their bad run and belief remains that the club can continue to It seemed to be a great opportunity to reach undergo operations at some point during the won four of their last five home games. progress.