Wigan Warriors 58 Salford Red Devils 12: Five things we learned

Five things we learned from Wigan's 58-12 win against Salford...
Bevan French carves through the Salford defenceBevan French carves through the Salford defence
Bevan French carves through the Salford defence

1. Wigan are doing everything they can to keep Bevan French.

On this performance, their best hope may be if Covid-19 prevents him flying back to Australia until 2022.

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He illuminated a dominant display with a stunning hat-trick - his long-range second the pick of the bunch, as his acceleration and footwork blazed through the Red Devils line.

It isn't just his pace which is so good, but his approach. In an era when so many attacks are scripted, his flair and unpredictability make him a Box Office draw.

Little wonder Parramatta are among the NRL clubs trying to lure him back home next season.

2. This was, Adrian Lam says, Wigan's most complete performance of the year.

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And while it's nice to win tight arm-wrestles - see their 18-14 victory against Warrington in their last outing - it was pleasing to see them cut loose, too.

On the back of a dominant effort down the middle, their attitude was great, and their attacks were slick and crisp.

3. We could - justifiably - go through the side and praise performances.

Liam Farrell? Outstanding. Brad Singleton? Encouraging. Jackson Hastings? Excellent.

But a word on hooker Sam Powell.

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He scored two early tries and motored through 43 tackles, the figures don't do justice to the influence he has on the side.

His contributions may go overlooked by some, but he is a hugely important cog in the Wigan machine.

4. The returning Tony Clubb said he expected to see the best of Salford.

We didn't.

Their tired display suggested they were suffering a hangover from their tense Challenge Cup Final six days earlier.

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They registered two tries but rarely showed glimpses of the exciting outfit they have become in recent times under Ian Watson's management.

5. Minutes after Wigan's win, St Helens began picking apart the other Challenge Cup Finalists as they whacked Leeds 40-8.

Both results set up nicely the derby meeting between Wigan and Saints next Friday at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

Whisper it quietly, but St Helens are the only Super League side which Lam has yet to beat as coach.

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Lam suggested in the press conference the game could be brought forward a day, but Wigan later confirmed the game will go ahead on Friday as scheduled.

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