Jai Field hails Wigan Warriors team-mate who ‘pulls all the strings’ with spine firing

Jai Field believes Harry Smith’s ability to organise and control games is allowing Wigan Warriors’ spine to flourish as the Challenge Cup winners continue their rich vein of form.

The Warriors produced a clinical display to sweep aside York Knights 72-20 at the LNER Community Stadium on Saturday, with Field starring in the victory. The Australian fullback scored a hat-trick, registered two assists and ran for 239 metres from 14 carries as Wigan crossed for 13 tries.

While Field was among the headline-makers, he heaped praise on halfback Smith for the role he plays in keeping Wigan ticking over and allowing the team’s attacking threats to express themselves.

“He pulls all the strings, and he’s got a great kicking game, so when we get a bit off track, he’s the one that gets us back on there and he gives us plenty of time and direction, which is good,” Field told Wigan Today.

Smith’s control was evident throughout a dominant first-half display as Wigan raced into a 44-0 lead by the interval before extending their advantage to 72-0 with 20 minutes remaining.

Although York scored four late tries, Field was pleased with the way Wigan approached a fixture that came on the back of recent trips to Wembley and Paris.

“I think we started really well,” he said. “We’ve been to a few places, we went to Wembley and travelled to Paris, so those games are easy to get up for - big games - so to come here and still start the way we did and put that performance in was definitely pleasing.

“Obviously, the last 10-minute period, a bit of a lapse in concentration, probably. Losing a bit of concentration, our discipline was poor, we gave a few back-to-back penalties away, and they rolled down the field, and if you give any team some ball down there, they’re going to trouble you.”

Field insisted the platform for Wigan’s attacking brilliance was laid by the pack, who dominated the middle of the field and created the opportunities for the spine players to shine.

“Credit to our middles and our forward pack at the moment, they’re laying a really good line for us, a great platform and they’re leaving some people on the ground and we’re sort of reaping the rewards, so I’ll give the credit to them,” he said.

“Obviously when all the cogs are turning and clicking like that, it’s really pleasurable to play behind.

“Our forwards, I think we need to give credit to them, they’re laying the platform and we’re getting a lot of front foot footy, so being a spine player, playing on the back of that is definitely nice.”

Field also praised the travelling Wigan supporters, who packed out the away end in North Yorkshire and were rewarded with an entertaining afternoon in the sunshine.

“I think this is a great stadium to come and play footy at - a small stadium, packed out, and our fans travelled over really well, so it was great to have them all there packing it out and in good voice,” he added.

Wigan’s victory was their seventh win in eight matches across all competitions as Matt Peet’s side continues to build momentum heading into the second half of the season.