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

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!

Fifita at Wakey is like that, looks unfit and out of shape and blowing out of his early in his stints but I seem to remember him running over us for 80 minutes once

We got a bit of good luck and it helped to kill off the Leeds threat. A couple of our tries could have been chalked off, especially the first, but overall a very enjoyable game. I wonder if Marshal was so embarrassed at being skinned on the outside that he spent the rest of the game making it up as a tackling machine.

Yeah, I was shocked how easy he got skinned, I know he’s lost some pace after his injury but Tindall got past him with ease. He looks a cracking player Tindall, was maybe naive thinking he could take Field on the outside for pace but I thought he looked a threat every time he had the ball and he seems a strong lad for someone who is relatively small, he’s got thick powerful legs.

Obviously really pleased. The ball movement and shape we showed in attack was brilliant, so many sets under Lam where it was one out carries and didn’t challenge the defence.

I thought we were dreadful in the first half, Leeds really started fast and we couldn’t cope. Our errors on the first tackle were beyond frustrating (until that Bibby kick! Haha).

Second half was superb, Cade Cust looks like a player.

Worry for me is Singleton and Ellis, feel Leeds got on top of them last night in the first 20 as Hull KR did last week.

As has been said I feel Havard should take one of them spots once fit. (Leave the bench props on the bench as they’ve been superb)

Bibby does see himself as a centre but I think he could be in trouble. Strong ball runner but seems to lack a good passing game.

Field
Miski/Thornley/French
KPP
Hardaker
Marshall

Could be an option.

Fantastic start to the year let’s keep it rolling Thursday.

Field timed his run perfectly and showed him the outside. Tindall made it easier by not showing any signs of coming inside.

Great game, great effort, some fantastic performances from Field, Cust, Ellis, Bateman, Mago, Byrne.

Didn’t notice much from Hardaker, Smithies, Partington & Isa.

Don’t like Bibby at centre either, would much prefer Hardaker there and Bibby on the wing. But I’m not the coach, Peet is and he’s doing great.

We need to really avoid letting Tommy do kicks on the last, they’re atrocious! Cust is far far better.