Wildcats can’t pin all hopes on star centre.
Richard Agar admitted the brilliance of centre Dean Collis can only take his Wakefield Wildcats side so far after their nail-biting 23-23 draw against Salford City Reds.
Collis has starred since his move from Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in 2012 and was again on form for the hosts with a first-half try on Sunday.
But Wildcats coach Agar, who also had Paul Sykes to thank for claiming a share of the spoils with a last-gasp drop goal, admits he wants others to step up to the plate.
“In the last 15 or 20 minutes our structure fell away and we can’t keep hoping to throw the ball to Dean Collis or Ali Lauitiiti (and) just seeing what they can do,” Agar said.
“There were some angry and harsh words at half-time and after the game.
“We were looking for some other guys to raise their game, and I don’t think we did that enough across the park. Some did try and lift the game but other people’s performances dipped quite alarmingly.”
Elsewhere, London Broncos coach Tony Rea admits the sooner his side pick up their home form the better after Hull KR left the Twickenham Stoop with a 42-22 victory.
The Broncos have lost all three of their Super League games so far in front of their own fans, the first against Widnes Vikings and the second against Wakefield Wildcats.
That performance at the end of February seemed to be playing on the mind of the hosts as they limped into the half-time interval 30-6 down.
Former Australia international Craig Gower did notch a try, as did compatriot Chris Bailey, but Alex Brown’s first-half hat-trick for the Robins gave the visitors a platform from which to build.
And Rea claims they need to be quicker out of the traps.
“We had an inability to build pressure in the first half. We made too many mistakes and that held us back,” Rea said.
“I thought we were in with a shout in the second half, but it was not to be.
“We just need a home win, the players need it and the fans need it. We have to pull together and stay strong.”
On Friday Pat Richards clocked up his 200th appearance for Wigan Warriors in their 38-0 mauling of Catalan Dragons and coach Shaun Wane claims he’s one of the best players he’s come across.
Since moving to the DW Stadium from Wests Tigers in 2006, Richards has won the Super League and Challenge Cup and become a firm favourite of the Wigan fans.
He marked the occasion in typical fashion by notching two tries and kicking five goals and Wane believes the wing is one of the greats.
“For Paddy Richards to get 200 games is a marvellous achievement,” said Wane.
“We all like Paddy, he is a Wigan hero and we wanted to do well for him.
“I have been at this club since I was 15 and seen some top Australians, and he is honestly up there with the top three I have played with and coached.”
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