Sullivan warned to be patient
... The former
Cronulla Sharks half-back or hooker was allocated the No 7 shirt when he arrived as the expected successor to Nathan Wood.
...
Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=T&ct=us/0-0&fd=R&url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml%3Fxml%3D/sport/2006/03/18/slwarr18.xml%26sSheet%3D/sport/2006/03/18/ixrugl.html&cid=0
New signing Sullivan warned to be patient
By Michael Fisher
Last Updated: 11:08pm GMT 17/03/2006
Paul Cullen, the coach of rejuvenated Warrington Wolves, insists new Australian signing Michael Sullivan will have to be patient to reclaim a first-team place.
The former Cronulla Sharks half-back or hooker was allocated the No 7 shirt when he arrived as the expected successor to Nathan Wood. However Sullivan, 25, has not started a match since being dropped following a disappointing debut in the 24-6 opening Super League defeat by Salford.
Sullivan was not even named among the substitutes for last Friday's emphatic
24-12 first win over Wigan at the JJB Stadium. The Australian was one of the designated over-age players who appeared in Warrington's 44-16 victory over Wigan in an Under-21 match on Tuesday when Danny Lima, another out-of-favour senior, also turned out.
Captain Lee Briers and Chris Bridge are the incumbent halves and Cullen, whose side entertain Catalans Dragons tonight, said: "They are playing so well I cannot break up the partnership and Michael will have to wait for the opportunity.
"Lee and Chris were outstanding in our victory over Hull and did well even though we lost narrowly against St Helens. It is a very good position for any coach to have three talented half-backs chasing two positions."
Bridge, 21, has scored four tries in five games and said: "I'm really pleased at how things are going, there is plenty of competition for places so to be starting shows you're playing well.
"We have a very strong squad and every lad knows if you're not coming up with the goods then you will be dropped. I feel I'm working well with Lee and it's good to see him kicking well, I don't mind if he has the goal-kicking duty if he is doing the business."
Oldham-born Bridge, a £30,000 signing from Bradford Bulls at the start of last season, signed a three-year deal and has also played wing, stand-off and centre.
Bridge suffered a suspected broken arm against St Helens but returned to play a key role in the Wigan victory with a fine solo try.
He added: "We are beginning to fire and I'm combining really well with Toa Kohe-Love. I've worked on my passing and trying to create openings by spinning the ball out wide."
Fallen giants Wigan, who have made their worst start in Super League history with only one win in five games, go to newly-promoted Castleford tomorrow with coach Ian Millward remaining upbeat.
Millward said: "If we get a bit more consistent and keep working hard, it will come. We've got plenty of wins in us. We'll enjoy the game against Castleford and, with a little more consistency, we'll get two points."
Wigan finished seventh last year and last won the Super League title in 1998 but Millward, who succeeded Denis Betts last summer, added: "It's been a disappointment to the players, myself and the fans, but it's something we can't dwell on.
"I believe in the longer term. We've lost four out of five, but no one's died. We've got to learn from it, move on and get better from it."
