Wigan Warriors continue to impress at start of new Super League season as they see off Huddersfield Giants

Wigan Warriors continued their perfect start to the Super League season with a comfortable 22-12 victory over Ian Watson’s Huddersfield Giants at the DW Stadium.

Both sides headed into the game with a 100%-winning record with two wins from the opening two rounds,  but it was Matt Peet’s Wigan side who continued their perfect run.

A first-half try from Jake Bibby and a brace from Liam Farrell gave the Warriors a 16-6 lead at the break after Chris Mcqueen had levelled the scores for the Giants at 6-6.

Watson’s visitors then reduced the deficit to four points with Tui Lolohea touching down early in the second half, but the comeback was short-lived with John Bateman extending Wigan’s lead. Forward Farrell thought he had capped off the win at the DW with his hat-trick prior to the final hooter, but he was adjudged to have knocked on in getting the ball over the line.

Before the season began, there were many fans and media outlets that wrote off the Warriors following a disappointing end to the previous campaign. They quietly did their business and worked hard during preseason though.

Attending their media day last month on behalf of Prost International, there was a positive vibe within the squad who recognised that they had a point to prove and wanted to write a few wrongs from last season.

The fact that Wigan had been written off by many gave them the ‘underdog’ tag and speaking at that media day, versatile man Jake Bobby admitted he was looking forward to the opportunity to surprise a few teams at the start of the new campaign.

“If teams want to underestimate us, then let them do it because all we want to do is focus on 2022. We are building for the future and it’s not just about rugby, it’s about Wigan!

“The players and coaching staff have really bought into that and, hopefully, it shows on the pitch too. We are a confident bunch, so we’ll put last year behind us and focus on this year going forward.”

The way in which the Warriors side has performed in their three wins against Hull Kingston Rovers, Leeds Rhinos and Huddersfield thus far has made the rest of Super League take notice.

Arguably, the impressive performances put on by Wigan in those three games will be just as important as getting the win for Matt Peet and their supporters. Every 80 minutes of action so far has brought with it open, expansive, and frankly, exciting rugby that gets supporters on their feet, something the team undeniably lacked last season.

Similarly, the work done in the community off the field in recent months has helped to re-ignite that partnership between the club and its’ fans, and that too could prove key throughout the 2022 campaign.

Peet’s side are set for a trip to France next week to take on the newly-promoted Toulouse Olympique as they look to continue their great start to the season. They may not have as many over there backing them as they did at the DW Stadium against the Giants, but many will be watching on eagerly from further afield hoping that the Warriors can make it four from four.

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