Belief the key for Noble

Coach thinks sending off looked harsh

Last updated: 15th August 2008

Brian Noble Wigan Warriors coach (putting some chewing gum in his mouth) Mar 08

Noble: important win

We kept believing, and it wasn't exactly pretty in the second-half, but we held them out, which was good.

Brian Noble
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Wigan coach Brian Noble paid tribute to his side's spirit and sense of belief after they held on for a 32-22 win over Wakefield.

The Warriors were down to 12 men for more than a half after the dismissal of Richie Mathers and the Wildcats overturned a 12-point half-time deficit.

But Wigan rallied to grab a win that could prove crucial in their bid to finish fourth heading into the play-offs.

"We were well in control and probably what we did with the ball at the start of that second half gave them a bit of a sniff," Noble said.

"But I thought to cut that out and to get over the try line a couple more times was pretty impressive from us.

"We kept believing, and it wasn't exactly pretty in the second-half, but we held them out, which was good."

On the sending off, Noble added; "I've not seen it again, I'll have to have a look at it, but it looked harsh to me.

"If I look at it and I think we have a case to defend, we'll defend it vigorously."

Attitude

It was an eighth straight defeat for Wakefield, but coach John Kear insisted: "Attitude-wise, it was 100% better, and we looked as though we wanted to play the game tonight.

"We showed a bit of desire, commitment, enthusiasm - call it what you want but you can credit it all under the one word - attitude.

"I am very, very pleased with how they have turned it around in a very, very short space of time.

"I can live with us being beaten when they have gone out there in the playing field and fronted up and given their all.

"I can live with that, and that's why I feel so much better than I did after the Castleford game when I felt we capitulated.

"We certainly didn't capitulate tonight, they showed a bit of steel and resolve out there.

"And it was there for the winning, but we looked edgy and nervous when the opportunity was there to win it."