Harris dismisses Powell talk

Sale Sharks' Andy Powell has been linked with a move to Wigan
8 April 2013

Wigan assistant coach Iestyn Harris has distanced the club from reports that they are to sign former Wales rugby union international Andy Powell.

Reports surfaced over the weekend suggesting that Powell, 31, was set to leave the 15-a-side code to join the Warriors from Sale. But Harris, who conducted the post-match press conference following the 44-24 win over Wakefield on Sunday instead of Shaun Wane, was quick to dismiss any link.

The Wales coach said: "I don't know anything about that. It would be great for Wales but as for him coming to Wigan I don't know anything."

The Warriors ran out winners at the DW Stadium with Sam Tomkins grabbing a hat-trick and Anthony Gelling and Iain Thornley grabbing a brace each, but it was the defensive part of their game that disappointed Harris.

He added: "I don't think we were great defensively and we didn't have a lot of energy. It wasn't our best performance. We came into the Easter period with a target of eight points and we saw this game as one of the toughest. We wanted to come out of the Easter period with a 100 per cent record and we have done that.

"We are happy with that but there are some areas we need to work on but it is a long season and you need to work on them areas consistently to make sure you are better the week after."

Wakefield coach Richard Agar was proud of the effort his players put in with only 12 men and believed his charges could have pushed Wigan further with a full set of players. Agar saw his side trail 10-0 before Justin Poore was sent off for punching Liam Farrell, but they never gave in and pushed Wigan in the second half.

He said: "During the last 15 or 20 minutes we spoke about it on the bench that we were a bit disappointed we didn't get a good crack at them with 13 or 17 men. I thought we played some good stuff at times and the 12 men made it a difficult contest.

"It is hard enough to come to Wigan at any time of the year. To go down to 12 was a big blow especially after 10 minutes. I was extremely proud of them. For the team to post more points than anybody has scored against Wigan with only 12 men on the field is probably a good reflection on some of the stuff we played."

Agar had no problem with the sending off, adding: "It was a sending off, no arguments about that. It's not the 1980s you can't do that sort of thing."

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