Wigan Warriors: The 18th Man - 'We must make hay while the sun shines...'

Our panel of Warriors experts run the rule over last week’s impressive win over Wakefield Trinity and look ahead to Saturday’s trip to York Knights...

David Bailey:

A statement performance from the Warriors put the rest of Super League on notice in Wakefield last week. From minute one, Wigan were on it.

Imagine having the luxury of keeping Bevan French on the bench whilst his understudy bosses vastly more experienced halves. Jack Farrimond was once again tenacious and creative.

Wigan were professional and clinical. Honestly, the quality of the tries we are scoring lately is obscene. Harry Smith returned, and his kicking game was there for all to see. The General celebrated this week with a brand new four-year contract. There were whispers of interest elsewhere, but I am delighted to keep the league’s best ball-in-hand kicker tied down at The Brick until 2030.

Ethan Havard bravely soldiered on with a broken jaw, and the prop will be a big miss for the short-term. Let's hope it isn't a long-term injury and that he can get back fresh and firing for the run-in.

Noah Hodkinson scored four tries as he continued to enhance his burgeoning reputation, and the poor lad didn't even get Player of the Match! That went to Brad O'Neill, who once again put in a stellar shift. He really is on it at the moment, and long may it continue. O’Neill was due a well-deserved breather, but Farrimond's mouthguard put paid to that as the young half got a slap across the chops and had to leave the field for an assessment, which of course he passed.

This week, Matt Peet takes his charges to the 26th stadium of his coaching career, and he has won at all 25 previously. York have shown flashes, not least at their game a few months back at The Brick, but Wigan have regained their defensive focus.

Ignoring the Hull KR game where the reserves featured, Wigan have not conceded more than two tries in a game since starting that winning run against Bradford. Six games where defence has shone, and the attackers have had a solid platform to build on. With the likes of Jai Field, Zach Eckersley, Adam Keighran, Jake Wardle, Hodkinson, Farrimond and French posing strike threats, I am afraid teams will need to score more than twice to thwart Wigan.

The Warriors are right back in the mix, and with most of the teams around us facing off, we must make hay while the sun shines.

It's a double-header in York as the ladies face their second big test of the season. York aren't the powerhouse they have been in women’s rugby league, but I am sure Denis Betts will take nothing for granted. He has been rotating the squad nicely, giving Izzy Rowe a breather last week, but I am sure she will be back in the mix this week if fit.

Finally, it was great to see eight Warriors named in the England train-on squad. They were all fully deserved, and I’m not sure what the fans of other clubs can complain about now with Brian McDermott in charge. There can be no accusations of an old pals act. Here's hoping the lads can continue their impressive form to catch McDermott’s eye further, but more importantly, keep us travelling up the table.

Glynn Bradshaw:

What another tremendous win on the road, and 40 points scored for the third consecutive week, which is certainly helping our points difference.

Admittedly, Wakefield were missing a number of backs, but take nothing away from our boys, who started well and won at a canter in the second half.

The intensity which marked the beginning of the season has returned. Our forwards are dominating and giving our backs the room to show their silky skills. It is a joy to watch, and the players seem to be enjoying it too.

It’s hard to pick out individuals this week, but O’Neill was a deserved Man of the Match. Obviously, Hodkinson, with his four tries, was tremendous. It helps him too, being outside such a classy centre in Wardle, who is surely the best centre in Super League. Junior Nsemba, Ollie Partington and Liam Farrell are also worthy of mention. This was a win once again based on team effort and togetherness.

The only downside was the news after the game that Havard had suffered a broken jaw, which makes the needless actions of Walters in the Cup final even more infuriating. Havard will probably miss six to eight weeks of action, I would think.

A new venue to look forward to this week - the wonderful city of York - and a team not to be taken lightly are the Knights. We need to start well as we have recently, and show the same level of intensity. They are a team who have tested a number of clubs, especially at home, so complacency is not an option.

I’m taking a different travel option this week, letting the train take the strain, so let’s hope we’re celebrating another Warriors victory afterwards with a few beers... Fingers crossed!