Kevin Brown says “the worst defender in Super League” needs position change

As Wigan Warriors were beaten by Hull KR in the Challenge Cup semi-final there were plenty of shocking talking points including the huge blow to the Robins before kick-off as Ryan Hall pulled out of the side.

This saw fullback Ethan Ryan move to the wing and Mikey Lewis come from the bench to start at fullback with Jimmy Keinhorst coming into the side.

Moving Lewis to fullback worked wonders with the stand-off feeding Louis Senior for the opening try.

He also had a great moment when he got out of his own in goal when he had no right.

“It’s brilliant from Mikey Lewis, he’s done him like a kipper,” Brian Noble said of the footwork from Lewis.

Matt Newsum added: “That was like Tom and Jerry wasn’t it?”

Brian Noble went on to praise the Hull KR star: “Those little things that Mikey Lewis did there, those bits of brilliance are the difference between winning and losing.

“If he gets that wrong then Abbas Miski puts him into the sideline and it’s six more plays in attack for Wigan.”

Robbie Hunter-Paul was also stunned: “It would be six more attacking plays with territory as well and that leads to tries against Wigan.

“That’s an absolutely brilliant play from Mikey Lewis there.”

At halftime, Kevin Brown was full of praise for Lewis. He said the stand-off should make the permanent switch to fullback because he’s “statistically the worst defender” in the league with the most defensive misses.

Brown said: “It suits his game with the way he’s got that X-Factor. He’s got the most defensive misses in the competition. He is statistically the worst defender so to put him out of the way and actually play to his strengths quite helps.”

So could we see Lewis make the switch permanently?

The club have Brad Schneider and Rowan Milnes playing in the halves at the moment.

Meanwhile, Jordan Abdull is waiting in the wings to come back at some stage.

They have lost Lachlan Coote to an early retirement as well due to repeated concussions and one more at the Magic Weekend.