Bateman looks like he's gonna have a Stella season. Mago, Ellis and Singleton taking up the hard graft this year is freeing up Bateman to be more of a threat with his own game.

Great performance all around, some things still to work on. Well done Wigan and Matty Peet ♥

I’ve never seen anyone quite like Mago before, he looks absolutely frigged within 2 minutes of coming on but he then gets the ball and drags about 4 players on his back and keeps doing it over and again. He also looks solid enough in defence, all whilst looking like he might keel any second. It’s all pretty unique and I’m absolutely loving watching him.

If we can just beat Huddersfield on Thursday what an atmosphere it would be for Wigan fans in Toulouse.

I think Huddersfield could be a tough one.
But then again a tough one for them too.

Bring it on.
So nice to think positively about a game.

I really enjoyed that, well worth the drive in the wind and on the way back sleet!

Well maybe not the first 20 minutes but after that I think we were in control. Leeds began well not least because we kept giving them the ball through penalties and daft play but after that and Fields try on half time they just didn’t look like we’re going to win.

Apart from Field obviously I thought Bateman, Cust and Mago did really well. Bryne also had a good game. Not convinced Bibby likes playing centre and Isa didn’t do a lot.

The offloads from Bateman and Mago for two of Fields tries were great and Cust got the ball out of the table for Faz to score. Windy weather made kicking awkward but Cust put some good ones in splitting the defenders. Plenty of positives but also work for Peet to do still on the penalties and errors and I think he might have to think about the centres. Maybe when Harvard is fit Ellis can go to 13 as I don’t think Isa offers much there.

I like Mago a lot. I always thought he would do well in SL and so he has. He is hard to put down, and has a bit of the footballer about him too, and you can't ask much more of a prop.

As I said last week....

I watched us, and I enjoyed it. That is a massive change from the last 3 years.

It’s an area to keep an eye on that 13 shirt for sure. I’ve been really impressed with Smithies but I do quite like the thought of Havard at 10 and Ellis 13. I’ve been surprised with Isa really. I’ve always fancied seeing him at 13. It was the position he reinvented himself in at Widnes years back but he’s looked a bit passive so far. I think he’s trying to be on his best behaviour but he’s the sort you want to go out and bash people and cause a bit of (legal) mayhem. Having options means he’ll need to do more to hold the spot and you can’t ask for much more.

Speaking of options.....


Stick French into that side with everyone fit........

Trying to keep this thread positive...just the odd downfall was our need to gift Leeds the ball early in the tackle count.

Powell twice gave a forward pass directly from the scrum, so frustrating.

I said after the first pre season game that he was fitter than people thought. It's just a strange body language he seems to have at times. Bends over hands on knees or hips looking goosed but a second or two later is making a strong carry with players hanging off him or putting a big shot on in defence. Does it from minute one of his stints to the last too. One thing I know for sure though; he's tough to put down! How many times does he finish on his feet with 3 or 4 defenders trying and failing to put him down or getting away a great offload in the tackle. In fact I can't remember the last prop to have his combination of brute strength and silky handling skills. Pure box office to watch!