Sport

Wigan Warriors lacking energy against Wakefield Trinity but hit Easter target, says Iestyn Harris

By Thomas McCooey

Wigan Warriors assistant coach Iestyn Harris felt his side have hit their Easter target, but admitted there were some tired legs against Wakefield Trinity.

Sam Tomkins scored a hat-trick for the Warriors who ran in eight tries but the Wildcats posted more points past Wigan than any other side have managed so far this term in the 44-24 win.

Despite being happy with a fourth straight win Harris thinks Wigan are left with plenty of work to do ahead of next week’s trip to Bradford Bulls.

“I don’t think we were great defensively and I don’t think we had a lot of energy in the game. It wasn’t our best performance over the Easter period,” said Harris.

“We came into this period with a mini-target. There are four games and we wanted to make sure we came out with a 100 per cent record.

“We’re very happy with that but there are some areas from today we need to work on. It’s a long season and you have to make sure you work on those areas and are better for the week after.

“It gives us some things to work on over the next few days.”

Iain Thornley and Anthony Gelling tries put the Warriors 10-0 up in the first ten minutes before Wakefield’s Justin Poore was shown a red card for punching Liam Farrell.

But the Wildcats took the lead with Vince Mellars and Paul Aiton tries before Wigan finally pulled-away to lead 30-12 at the break with three further tries before the interval.

A further score from Aiton and a Lee Smith try for the Wildcats were sandwiched by Tomkins’ completion of his hat-trick in the second half which was praised by Harris.

“He’s a brilliant player and some of the things he did today were absolutely outstanding,” Harris added.

“You look at the flair but it’s the other things he does as well which allows the team to roll forward.

“He does that consistently – he’s brilliant.”

Harris also played-down speculation that Sale Sharks’ Welsh rugby union international, Andy Powell, is set to join the Warriors.

Pat Richards also missed ther game after his flight back from Sydney was delayed.

Image courtesy of UKRugbyLeague, via YouTube, with thanks

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