SAM BURGESS said a comprehensive defeat to Leeds Rhinos was a “game too far” for his Warrington Wolves.
Leeds won the top-of-the-table showdown 34-6, leaving Warrington in second place and with plenty to ponder.
Their coach accepted the Rhinos’ superiority over a Wire team containing several youngsters, especially in the spine.
Burgess said: “They’re a great side and really made us pay.
“They won three moments in the first half (to score their tries) which I didn’t think reflected the game, but their brilliance got us.
“I was okay at the break. We looked clunky and I could accept that but when they get in a mood like that, they are very hard to handle.
“The halves (Ewan Irwin and Leon Hayes) had some good moments but they’ll learn a lot tonight. They got taught a bit of a lesson from a very good spine.
“We’re going to be patient and have a bit of reflection. We know where we need to improve.
“The style of play they (Leeds) were playing, everything was sticking and I was happy we wrestled the game back but not the 34 points (conceded) – we had a tough night.
“It was probably a game too far. We looked like a young team. They were better than us and I’ve not said that a lot this year.”