“Absolutely embarrassing” – Fans react to Warrington Wolves defeat

Warrington Wolves were defeated by Catalans Dragons for a second time this season as they missed out on a chance to go to the top of Super League.

Sam Burgess had only lost one competitive game as head coach prior to yesterday’s game and that loss also came against Catalans Dragons but in Round One on the road in Perpignan.

That Round One loss saw Wire unable to mount a comeback despite playing against 12 men for almost the entirety of the second half after Micky McIlorum’s red card.

Since then the Wolves had won four from four in the league and also dispatched of London Broncos in the Challenge Cup by a score of 42-0 but their toughest win had come against Hull KR, suggesting the clash with Catalans would be a likely step up.

It certainly was that with Warrington caught on the backfoot from the off as they went 18-0 down within ten minutes whilst also losing prop Paul Vaughan to a yellow card.

There was some grit shown to claw the game back to 18-12 by the break but two early second-half scores looked to put the control firmly back with Catalans, only for Warrington to register two quickfire tries of their own to make it a one-score game at 28-24.

The final 20 minutes saw Warrington turn the screw and apply the pressure but they couldn’t convert that to points, Steve McNamara’s side at one point defending four consecutive sets on their line before sucker-punching the Wolves with a last-minute Jordan Abdull try to secure the win 32-24.

Fans have now asked plenty of questions over the fact it’s yet another loss against a top team but also the manner in which they lost, conceding 28 points across two ten-minute spells in a performance Sam Burgess has labelled “not good enough”.

Star player for Warrington Wolves questioned

One of the players that fans of Warrington Wolves have lauded this season is Matt Dufty with the full-back having been in incredible form of late but yesterday wasn’t one of those days.

With Warrington unable to get a foothold in the game for long periods his attacking flair wasn’t utilised and he was sadly exposed defensively, no more so than for the second try of the day where Tom Johnstone beat him to a bouncing ball.

Fans have since questioned if he had in fact deliberately moved out of the way to avoid contact, whilst another labelled the moment “absolutely embarrassing”.

Did Dufty just get out of his way then? Remarkable. 🤣#SLWarCat

— JamesSaintLatic (@JamesSaintLatic) March 30, 2024

That’s absolutely embarrassing

— Niall Mclaughlin (@Littlemog98) March 30, 2024

The Australian has recently been handed a new two-year contract which was referenced by one social media user who criticised his defending and position throughout.

They said: “Classic dufty game, glad he’s got another 2 year golden contract, the defending and positioning is comical.”

Classic dufty game, glad he’s got another 2 year golden contract, the defending and positioning is comical

— Keith GET TONY OUT (@Keithschips) March 30, 2024

Warrington’s ability to cruise past lesser teams but struggle against the top teams was also pointed out by many with this clash against Catalans looking to be a chance for Wire to make a real statement and announce themselves as contenders.

Instead, they lost to a Catalans side that was missing two of their starting spine players including having to utilise a hooker at full-back.

Ah never mind you beat the shit teams but lose against one of the top what a surprise lmao

— Shaun (@SilcaClipz) March 30, 2024

There were once again complaints about officiating too, particularly the rule in which the referee has to give an on-field decision rather than just admit they don’t know,

Catalans’ final try was given on-field and couldn’t be overturned despite looking like a knock-on to many, prompting one fan to ask: “If the video ref is just going to agree with the on-field decision, what is the point of the video ref? That’s as clear as day a knock on.”

If the video ref is just going to agree with the on field decision, what is the point of the video ref? That’s as clear as day a knock on #SLWarCat

— Michael Bates (@MikeB237) March 30, 2024

There was also drama off-field when in the first-half Josh Thewlis’ conversion hit a stadium speaker causing it to drop 30 feet and also land on fans in the crowd, something that could have been tragic if it had hit a fan.

One fan joked that it was another item to add to the list of things CEO Karl Fitzpatrick is at fault for, posting: “After the incident in the East stand today I’m happy to add “stadium deterioration” to the list of things Karl Fitzpatrick is at fault for.”

After the incident in the East stand today I’m happy to add “stadium deterioration” to the list of things Karl Fitzpatrick is at fault for

— Jamie Bate (@Jamie_Bate) March 30, 2024