Briers welcomes future perspective (From This Is Cheshire)

Warrington Wolves stalwart wishes he could start career over again

12:00pm Friday 3rd February 2012 in Sport By Mike Parsons

LEE Briers knows Warrington Wolves’ future is in good hands but he wants to continue ‘repaying’ the club for as long as he can.

With the signing of a new half back in Stefan Ratchford and youngsters like the weekend’s matchwinner Gareth O’Brien fighting for more first-team opportunities, the 33-year-old can see the queue over his shoulder.

“I’m not silly,” said Briers, who became Warrington’s leading points scorer of all time during the 2011 campaign.

“I know that Wolves have brought Stef here for the future and I know that I’m not going to be around for another five to 10 years.

“The club is investing in the future and if I can help players like Stef along the way I’ll do that.”

As Wolves’ longest serving player, Stobart Super League XVII will be Briers’ 16th season in the top flight.

He has already retired from international rugby league twice, the latest at the end of Wales’ 2011 Four Nations campaign, but his passion and motivation to do his best for Wolves is showing no signs of waning.

“I never think past one year and then the next,” said Briers, whose career twilight has been blessed with Challenge Cup and League Leaders’ Shield glories that had been undeserv-edly missing from the first 12 of his years in primrose and blue.

“Sixteen years in Super League? I’ve not done bad for a scrawny lad from a council estate in St Helens.

“Starting out now seems a long time ago but I’ve enjoyed every minute and hopefully there’s still a few more years yet.

“The love of rugby league and being passionate about Warrington Wolves keeps me motivated.

“Warrington Wolves have given me a great life, no doubt about that. And for as long as I can keep repaying Warrington, I’ll always give my all. That’s all I can do.

“The day when I’m not enjoying it any more I won’t be talking to reporters any more – that’s when I’ll be finished.”

So what does he think of the abilities of Ratchford, the man brought in from Salford who appears to be being groomed to eventually take over from Wolves’ most influential player of the Super League era.

“Stef’s a great young talent,” said Briers, who has a contract until the end of this season.

“He’s been around a few years and is still only 24 although he looks older. Stef’s got really good footwork, great pace and can read a game well – very much like another of our half backs, Richie Myler.”

With Myler, last year’s regular scrum half returning from Boxing Day’s dislocated elbow to figure in the 34-28 win against South Sydney Rabbitohs on Saturday, Ratchford has extra competition again to start the campaign alongside Briers in the halves.

He can also figure at full back, centre and wing but he will certainly be in the halves at some stage in the season.

“We’ll complement each other well,” said Briers.

“We can both play either side of the field and that’s something we’ll be doing.

“He’ll probably do more running while he’s got younger legs than me – and he’ll have to because I’ll be sending him!

“Stef’s a great bloke and has settled in really well. He’s been training the house down and I’m really pleased that he’s here.

“I think all the half backs will work well together and I’m sure there’ll be times in the season when we’re all playing together at the same time.”

Rookie O’Brien, Chris Bridge and Simon Grix can also come into the half backs equation and Briers feels that is a good thing.

“It’s putting pressure on key positions and what that means is that the players in those key positions have to train well, play well and stay consistent so that can only benefit the side.”

And when it comes to the strength in depth across the board that Wolves’ product line is developing, Briers is in no doubt.

“Some of our young guys coming through are ridiculously talented, skilful and athletic. And their willingness to learn is unbelievable. The future’s bright and I wish I could start my career all over again now.”