The club legend, 35, acknowledges that he may need to adjust to the “different” circumstances after being pulled out of the thrilling victory at Hull KR, the team’s third straight under new manager Sam Burgess.
Captain Stefan Ratchford, who has been a regular at Warrington for 12 years, is having to adjust to the strange situation of knowing he isn’t a lock to start.The former England player is unsure of when he will make his next appearance after only making one in the Wolves’ first four games of the season. It’s a hard situation to understand for a club veteran who has nearly 350 matches under his belt, two Challenge Cups, and four Grand Final appearances with Wire.
The utility back, who is oddly a year younger than his boss Sam Burgess, won’t be found debating with him, though. Burgess was formerly his international teammate.
The 35-year-old has lost his starting position to Connor Wrench, a gifted Academy graduate. Ratchford, who was named man-of-the-match and received the Harry Sunderland Trophy when Wolves lost the 2018 Old Trafford title final to Wigan, said, “It is a different situation for me.” This is a new situation for me.
“Before the season began, Sam and I had a discussion about how my job would likely evolve this year. Regretfully, I suffered an injury shortly before the season began, which caused me to miss the first few weeks. I was able to play versus Castleford for a little while, and Sam was more than happy with the way I played and what I did in that game.
“When Wrenchy pulled out, I shot into that right centre position. However, it’s clear that he’s been performing well, so Sam indicated he would insert him again, which is acceptable. There will be more opportunities to receive some playing time because the year is long.
Since that former Wigan great Sam Powell was brought in for his versatility, there isn’t even much chance that Ratchford, who can also play full-back, stand-off or wide forward, will be kept off the pitch.
And on Sunday, Warrington, who are in fine form and have already loaned out hooker Brad Dwyer (Leigh), prop Joe Bullock, and winger Matty Russell (all Hull), go to London in search of their fourth straight victory. They defeated a legendary team at Catalans on the opening weekend, where they only made one mistake.
Ratchford claims that Burgess’s decisions are supported by the entire team.
“We’re all fully on board—not just me—with not playing,” he stated. We have some guys who aren’t playing right now, but overall, our team and group are really close. Everyone is aware that some athletes will miss out on opportunities every week. Only 17 can be chosen.
“It’s me in and out right now, but eventually someone else will be, I’m sure. Everybody is confident in the 17 players who show up on game day with the intention of winning.
Josh Drinkwater, an injured Australian playmaker, crocked and missed the victory against Rovers. George Williams, the captain of England, missed the previous two games. Burgess may have easily resorted to Ratchford’s experience to slot in at half-back. But he plumped for 19 year-old and Ratchford insisted: “Leon was the right choice.
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