Ex-Rhino Harris warns Warriors

[josie andrews]

IESTYN Harris has warned Wigan’s players they’re in for a bruising battle at Leeds.

Warriors won 50-8 on their last trip to Headingley last May.

But the Warriors assistant coach, a former Rhinos skipper, believes that was a one-off scoreline.

And with the champions losing 32-8 to table-toppers Huddersfield last Friday, Harris is cautious of a backlash.

“They will come with their ‘A’ game and we have to come with ours,” Harris said.

The ex-Wales international also insisted that thoughts of last year’s two semi-final defeats to the Rhinos are not in anyone’s mind.

“Certainly going to Headingley this week in round seven, we haven’t go thoughts of semi-finals last year,” he added.

“Leeds have been asked to play at a really high standard for several weeks now with the World Club Challenge against Melbourne they had to hit a certain intensity.

“At some stage with having to peak so early you are going to have that drop-off.”

But Harris thinks there isn’t any likelihood of a Leeds dip in performance against the Warriors.

“I thought they had that last week so they should come out all guns blazing,” he warned.

With the Warriors’ treatment room still crammed with big-hitters, the build-up to tomorrow’s clash does echo the triumphant visit to Headingley last year, where Leeds were favourites to crush a depleted Wigan outfit.

But Harris and head coach Shaun Wane aren’t worried about throwing youngsters who have stood-up so far this season into the mix.

“We have high standards at the club. The youngsters who have come into the squad know exactly what is expected of them,” Harris said.

“If they can live up to those standards and the club philosophy that your age is irrelevant, if you do a good job you will keep your place, then

http://www.wigantoday.net/sport/wigan-w ... -1-5496905

[DaveO]

Yes McDermott was playing the mind games with the "Warriors will smell blood" headlines.

If he thinks Wane, Harris and the players (no matter how junior) are that naive he is daft.