Wigan Warriors: The 18th Man - 'He has been one of our best players this season...'

Glynn Bradshaw:

A very good win on Sunday against a decent Wakefield team, especially after going 12 points down. I thought we made a good start despite the early deficit and grew in confidence.

I thought we were a little lucky to be in front at half-time, but I thought we shaded the second half.

Our right-side defence improved, although Jack Farrimond still tends to hold people up rather than tackle them – but he was better than the week before and ran with greater conviction.

I thought Harry Smith was very good, as was Zach Eckersley in attack and defence, and what about that long pass from Paddy Mago? A great ball from the big man, and big minutes again from Brad O’Neill, who saved the day with the intercept at the death.

We need to cut down on the penalties and improve our discipline. I can’t believe that Smith has got more matches than Jazz Tevaga for his two indiscretions, one of which was kicking. I think Smith has been a bit unlucky there, but it’s probably right not to appeal as it could result in an increased ban. I can’t say the same about Sam Walters, though, a bit stupid and perhaps lucky not to get more than three matches.

It was an exciting Cup tie, and the Warriors faithful travelled in good numbers, despite the debacle the week before.

We have a number of options to replace Smith – Farrimond will go to 7, and probably either Adam Keighran or Jai Field to six.

I would personally go with Keighran to six, Eckersley to centre and Dayon Sambou on the wing.

In the second-row, we could either go with Ollie Partington, who has been playing well of late, or Jonny Vaughan or Lukas Mason – a number of options again.

It will be good to have Ethan Havard back, as he has been our top forward this year. In a game with our absentees, we should come out on top against Castleford.

It’s an interesting draw for the semi-finals and gives us an early opportunity to avenge the Good Friday collapse, with an outside chance maybe of Jake Wardle returning.

Fingers crossed for another Warriors victory and to stay in the top four.

David Bailey:

A win at shaky Wakey? I’d have snapped your hand off before the game.

It’s not our favourite hunting ground, and after getting off to an abysmal start, the Warriors showed a bit of character and a bit of grit to get themselves into the semi-finals.

However, perhaps some players showed a little too much grit (yes, I am looking at you Walters, and less so Smith). The social media meltdown was incredible after Tevaga kicked Liam Marshall. However, not to admonish Tevaga, but to blame Marshall. I literally have no words. Walters and Smith were foolish with their actions, but I can understand Smith pushing Tevaga after he kicked his mate. The fact that the RFL deem this as a worse incident than a deliberate kick is astonishing. I do, however, look forward to every single player being moved, ending in a ban. Wait, what do you mean a Leeds player did the same to a Wakefield player earlier in the season, and nothing happened?

It was great to see Chris Kamara deliver the draw at half-time, a viral legend of the Sky Sports line-up of days gone by and exactly the kind of rugby league fan we need to promote. Kamara, along with Jamie Peacock, have given us a quick opportunity to right the wrongs of Good Friday in just a few weeks at Warrington.

The RFL will be absolutely thrilled with the semi-final line-up. Four strong, well-supported clubs all vying around the top of the table. With Doncaster another modest venue, the look on TV of two full stadiums should be fantastic.

Thankfully, Smith and Walters will return for the semi-final. However, Matt Peet will have to make decisions out of his comfort zone for the foreseeable future, starting at the Brick against Castleford on Sunday.

I am not anxious about the pack as we have enough depth to cover, in my opinion. The backline, however, is going to be a lottery.

Wigan’s prolific right edge will not only be missing the suspended Walters, but you’d think that one or both of Keighran and Eckersley will be deployed elsewhere. Personally, Keighran has been the best option as a stand-off. He has the defensive skills and can move the ball out comfortably. He also brings a little experience alongside Farrimond, who will now be the main controller and kicker. This means that someone will need to step in at the centre. Will Peet move Eckersley and bring Sambou in on the wing or opt for Vaughan at centre? It could be anything, really.

I try not to jump on players due to form, either. After all, you’d think Peet, Sean O’Loughlin, Paul Deacon and Tommy Leuluai know a bit more about rugby than I and see the players day in, day out. Surely, though, Partington has done enough to deserve a shot at 13 rather than an interchange? He has that bit of intensity in him, like O’Neill, who I think has been one of our best players this season. Not only that, but he seems more comfortable than Kaide Ellis with the ball in his hands. His time away has improved his all-around game.

Castleford haven’t had a great start to the season, but make no mistake, the Warriors have been off colour now for the best part of a month. If ever they needed backing on the pitch and fans to turn out in numbers, this Sunday is the one. With in-form Warrington on the horizon, the team really does need to dig in and get some momentum.

Darren Wrudd:

Wakefield came at us with everything they had, just as they have been playing recently, and after taking the early lead, nerves were jangling, expecting a tough game.

It didn’t disappoint, of course, and it was nip and tuck all the way through. We stuck to our processes, and you could see that the players were making up for some loss of form by putting far more effort into turning up for one another. That’s the most impressive part of that performance in my eyes, the extra effort from all of the squad to get us over the line and into the semi-finals.

It wasn’t without controversy again – it seems to haunt us this year. The scuffle mid-game, as Wakefield’s most ill-disciplined player Tevaga lashed out, kicking Marshall in the back, caused a proper red mist to descend, and Smith got it wrong in the moment. Lots of shirt-grabbing, verbals and with blood boiling, Walters shoved his head into his opponent’s, meaning it was a costly incident, leaving us without them both for three matches. I have no issue with the ruling – both were careless actions in the heat of the moment and deserved the punishment. However, how on earth it was not an instant red card for the kick in the back is simply beyond me. Then to dish out a two-match ban for that and being the cause of the fracas feels decidedly unfair.

However, it was the right result in the end, even if it was not sealed until the very last moment of the game. It’s always nice to shut their coach up! I was really pleased with that and the chance now to get revenge on Saints in the semi-final after our poor result there recently.

This weekend, however, we have Castleford visiting the Brick on Sunday. They will be up for it without our little general Smith in the squad, spying their chance to take advantage.

Peet will, of course, have his contingency plans for such a position, and although our first-choice halfback stand-in is currently covering for Bevan French, we still have a few options to look at.

The most obvious is Field to the halves with Noah Hodkinson stepping back into the fullback position, probably my preferred selection, so we don’t disturb the edges, who are performing so well at the moment.

But Kieghran to half is also an option, as is looking to the younger players too and giving a debut to some bright young talent brought in to help cover, like Vaughan or George O’Loughlin at centre. Cover in the second-row is not as much of an issue with Havard back and some extra combinations to look at there.

What I would give for some good news on the injury front regarding French, Wardle and Abbas Miski. I think we will have the class to stand up to Castleford, though, and we can see what shape the team is in going forward after that.