Paul Rowley admitted he is unsure if Salford Red Devils face seeing more players depart ahead of Friday’s Betfred Challenge Cup quarter-final.
Marc Sneyd, Brad Singleton and Tim Lafai have all departed in recent weeks as the Red Devils’ financial troubles continue, with players and staff receiving their wages late for the second month in a row.
The club remain under a £1.2million sustainability cap and there were reports some players refused to play in Sunday’s 54-0 Betfred Super League defeat away to Wigan Warriors, and head coach Rowley conceded the uncertainty shows no sign of abating.
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“Who knows? It’s a difficult situation where we’re getting squeezed from a lot of different directions,” Rowley told Sky Sports.
“It’s difficult at the minute and people keep saying ‘are you okay’, but I’m buzzing. I was really excited about the game and I really enjoyed big parts of that game for various reasons.
“I’m happy, I’m living the dream coaching a team of rugby lads who are like that.
“They’re great lads and I’m privileged to be in the job I’m doing and the people I’m doing it with.”
Rowley was at least able to name a 17-player squad for the match, with academy products Nathan Connell, Jonathon Vaughan, Joshua Wagstaffe, Finley Yates, James Shields and Scott Egan all featuring at The Brick Community Stadium.
A hat-trick of tries from Jake Wardle, a double from Jai Field, and single scores for Zach Eckersley, Sam Walters, Liam Marshall and Bevan French saw Wigan ease to victory, although Warriors head coach Matt Peet praised Salford for how they acquitted themselves.
“They can all keep their heads held high, and Paul and his staff no doubt the same,” Peet told Sky Sports.
“They’re all going through a difficult time at the moment and everyone at the game has got sympathy for the players and staff and the football department at the club.
“I hope to see them come out of the other side of it, but they can be proud of their efforts. They troubled us.”
As it stands, Rowley will be calling on some of Salford’s next generation again when they travel to Perpignan to play Catalans in the Challenge Cup on Friday night.
He could not speak highly enough of their performance in the face of adversity though, even with the lopsided scoreline.
“It’s Mother’s Day today and there should be some proud mothers there,” Rowley said.
“The youngsters who got excited about playing, they put in a great account of themselves, but they got the privilege of playing alongside some experienced players.
“They’re the sort of guys who give you confidence and they change your nerves to confidence and excitement.
“I can’t speak highly enough of those players who competed and had a dig, and you remember games like this for the rest of your career. I never like losing, but I’ve got to take my hat off to the character of the players.”
Teams:
Wigan: Jai Field, Jacob Douglas, Zach Eckersley, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall, Harry Smith, Bevan French, Tyler Dupree, Kruise Leeming, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Liam Farrell, Kaide Ellis.
Interchange: Brad O’Neill, Patrick Mago, Harvie Hill, Sam Walters.
Salford: Ryan Brierley, Nathan Connell, Esan Marsters, Jonathon Vaughan, Joshua Wagstaffe, Joe Shorrocks, Kai Morgan, Jack Ormondroyd, Finley Yates, Chris Hill, Shane Wright, Matty Foster, George Hill.
Interchange: Tiaki Chan, Justin Sangare, James Shields, Scott Egan.
Referee: Chris Kendall.
