MATCH DETAILS
In an incredible comeback, Wigan managed to come from 21 points behind to claim a 32-23 victory against Catalans.
Catalans were up 15-0 going into half-time through tries from Benjamin Jullien and David Mead as well as three goals and one drop-goal from Tony Gigot.
The Dragons added another try shortly after the break with Ben Garcia crossing. Then Wigan began to doninate, scoring six tries in the final thirty minutes. Tries from Dan Sarginson, Oliver Gildart, Joe Burgess, Liam Farrell, Sam Tomkins and Tony Clubb meant the Warriors picked up their first away win in their last three attempts.
WHAT WE’VE LEARNED
Catalans aren’t far off
The Dragons managed to start this match full of promise; leading 21-0 means they do have what it takes but for some reason they are unable to maintain those leads.
With ten games gone already this season, they don’t have a lot of time left to start picking up some form and more importantly some points to move off the foot of the table.
Never write off Wigan
Scoring six tries in thirty minutes is quite an achievement for the Warriors. After a flat first half, the side were able to pick themselves up after some harsh words from coach Shaun Wane at half-time.
An impressive performance from Sean O’Loughlin gave the Warriors that extra edge and they need to keep him fit to maintain their league standing.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
Catalans Head Coach: Steve McNamara
“They’re pretty distraught down there [in the changing rooms]. The preparation that the players have put in over Easter has been incredible.
“It’s never easy for the Catalans for a number of reasons and the players have responded.
“Some of the things that we’re trying to implement we saw for large periods of that game but some of the difficulties that the Catalans face certainly surfaced again for me in that second half with some of the decisions that went against us.”
Wigan Head Coach: Shaun Wane
“I’m very, very proud of that performance in the second half. We gave ourselves a lot to do but we turned up in the second-half with some great performances.
“We lost Benny (Ben Flower) and George (Williams) and we had some very good individual performances.We found a way to win. I am the ultimate optimist, especially with this team and I never doubted them.”
THE RESULT
Catalans Dragons 23
Tries:ย Jullien, Mead, Garcia
Goals:ย Gigot 5
Drop Goals:ย Gigot
Wigan Warriors 32
Tries:ย Sarginson, Gildart, Burgess, Farrell, Tomkins, Clubb
Goals:ย Tomkins 4
SQUADS
Catalans:ย Mead; Broughton, Thornley, Wiliame, Yaha; Gigot, Langi; Simon, McIlorum, Moa, Jullien, Garcia, Bird.
Interchanges:ย Casty, Aiton, Bousquet, Baitieri.
Wigan:ย Tomkins; Marshall, Sarginson, Gildart, Burgess; Williams, Powell; O’Loughlin, Leuluai, Flower, Isa, Farrell, Bateman.
Interchanges:ย Clubb, Sutton, Navarrete, Hamlin.
