Lam cites improvement as one star faces longer stretch on sideline

Adrian Lam could not hold back his joy at his players extending Wigan’s winning run to four games.

“I thought it was a real physical game, it was pretty tough and they were going set-for-set,” Lam said.

“I’m proud of the boys for hanging in there, at the start of the game we must have done about four or five sets on our line and then we went up the field and scored – that’s a sign of a good side and a team that’s prepared to work hard for each other.”

The Warriors have conceded just two tries in the past three games and that’s something which Lam could not be happier with.

“I thought we defended really well tonight and I was always confident that two tries would have been enough because of the way we have been defending the past few weeks.

“We’ve got some improvement there and a tough period of rugby coming up, but the way it panned out tonight was exactly what we needed.”

A few players came in for individual adulation, including that man at fullback who scored a sensational solo try – Zak Hardaker.

“Zak Hardaker was outstanding again and a few of our young ones were really good; Jacko (Hastings) gave some important touches at key parts of the game.

“I thought Liam Farrell was great and he scored two tries there – he’s out of position, and Morgan Smithies and Willie Isa were again too.”

The trio were playing out of position because of the crisis of injuries Wigan face along the backline, and, for Oliver Gildart, the wait to return will be even longer, Lam confirmed.

“Gildart’s had a bit of a strain yesterday in his own training plan so that’s set him back a few weeks.

“But, Bevan (French) will be good to go and then we’re going to check on Dom Manfredi through the week.

“We’re looking forward to that headache of where Bevan will fit in with Zak playing so well.”