Huge Wigan Warriors problem

Kevin Sinfield at Leeds Rhinos, Pat Richards at Wigan Warriors, Brett Hodgson at Warrington Wolves and Sean Long at St Helens, having a good goal kicker underpins a successful side so with the likes of Wigan, Leigh Leopards and St Helens battling for the crown, goal kicks are key.

We still have some top notch kickers but questions have frequently been raised about Wigan’s Harry Smith.

The scrum half is a superb number seven and a terrific in play kicker but has a success rate with goal kicks of just over 60% and Terry O’Connor and Stuart Pyke raised this issue.

O’Connor said: “It is a problem for them.”

Pyke meanwhile said: “His rate is only just over 60% which isn’t as high as he would want.”

It didn’t matter against Catalans in the end.

Wigan started the game excellently rolling Catalans down field frequently doing what is rarely seen in Super League and out muscling the Dragons in their own back yard.

As they routinely forced their way down field, Wigan eventually got their try as a probing kick from Bevan French caused confusion.

Tom Johnstone came across to deal with it colliding with Toby King allowing Abbas Miski to get to the ball and ground it to score.

Another kick led to another try as Miski rose highest to claim the kick before offloading to centre Toby King to score.

Wigan were on top and causing problems down the edge for Catalans especially down their right and the left of the French side.

Speaking of French, Bevan French continued to torment the Dragons as he ducked and darted through tackles busting tackles to power his way over the line in the corner.

A second conversion from Harry Smith, who also missed a penalty, made it 16-0 before Miski claimed a second try on the stroke of halftime.

Again French caused problems with a probing run and Miski hit a line inside as dummy runners moved wide of the winger allowing Miski to go through on his disguised line and powered through the cover to score a second try.

He would later score his third try as Wigan stormed to a statement victory over the league leaders.

Jake Wardle would add another try capitalising on a Tyrone May error.

It was a result that cemented Wigan’s title credentials but brought up serious questions about the league leaders Catalans Dragons.