The man who has coached both Wire and Whitehaven on what to expect in Cumbria
WARRINGTON Wolves do not have much in the way of history with Challenge Cup opponents Whitehaven – but one man does know what its like to represent both sides.
After serving The Wire with distinction as a player and in the coaching set-up, Paul Cullen left the club in 2000 and took on his first senior head coaching position at the Cumbrian side.
There he stayed for two years before returning to save his hometown club from relegation in 2002 – the start of a six-year coaching tenure that saw the club move from their old Wilderspool home into their new era at The Halliwell Jones Stadium and go from also-rans to contenders in Super League.
While he will be known as a Warrington icon, Whitehaven will always be a part of Cullen’s story and he says the current Wire crop will be facing a side proud to represent their area.
“I think Whitehaven have some difficulties off the field, but there’s a pride and resilience up there that struck me to my core when I got up there. They’re a tough group,” he said.
“Because of the financial challenges, they’ll recruit more locals which makes it that bit harder.
“They get guys in from Wath Brow, Hensingham, Kells – they buy into Cumbrian rugby league and will be really, really proud to play against not only a Super League club but one as prominent as Warrington.”
Saturday’s third-round tie – a game for which current Wire boss Sam Burgess has selected a strong 21-man squad – will be Warrington’s first visit to Whitehaven since the quarter-finals in 2004.
Cullen was in charge that day as The Wire ran out 42-10 winners – but his side were tested more than the scoreline suggests having scored five of their eight tries in the second half.
Mercurial half-back Nathan Wood scored twice with Brent Grose, Ian Sibbit, Warren Stevens, Ben Westwood, John Wilshere and Paul Wood also on the scoresheet.
“We went back up there in the Challenge Cup not long after I’d come back to Warrington, and it took something extra special from Nathan Wood to break the game open,” Cullen recalled.
“We were ankle-deep in mud, they made it as hard as they possibly could for us and it needed a special play from Nathan to break the game and we rattled up a few points then.
“This will matter to them, and matter greatly.”
