Warrington Wolves coach Tony Smith admits that it’s far from ideal to be opening their Super 8s campaign just five days removed from a major cup semi-final.
After beating Wakefield on Saturday at Leigh, the Wolves start their Super 8s with a home clash against St Helens in front of the TV cameras on Thursday night.
And having featured in such a big game last weekend, Smith insists that such a demanding and tight fixture schedule is no reward for the success they have enjoyed so far in 2016.
“We’re happy to still be alive in all three trophies,” Smith said. “It’s a case of concentrating on the one in hand and seeing where it takes you.
“But we have to play St Helens five days after the semi-final whereas Saints have had a week off so cheers for that.
“It is not a great reward for coming second and getting to the semi-final. It is an incredibly quick turn around.
“But it is what it is and we have just got to roll our sleeves up and get on with it.
“We had three originally and everyone else in the top five had none until we got it changed.”