Wigan Warriors put Leigh Leopards to the sword on Thursday night as they beat their local rivals 54-0 at the Brick Community Stadium.
Here’s our talking points.
Dominant Wigan
To say the Warriors have hit the ground running this season would be an understatement as they picked up their third win of the season and kept the Leopards to nil.
There was only one team in the clash from the very first minute, with Wigan rushing out into an 18-0 lead inside the opening 25 minutes, really asserting their dominance early on with their intensity and efforts.
Adam Keighran got the scoreboard ticking over before Bevan French and Jai Field got themselves over the line during a period that really knocked the stuffing out of Leigh, who were struggling to keep their heads above water and making mistakes galore.
Field got a second in the second half, before Zach Eckersley and Junior Nsemba, who looks back to his very best, got in on the action. Field put Smith over for a second inside the final 10 minutes for the Warriors’ eighth try of the night.
Tom Forber got the ninth to make it 54-0 and put the finishing touches on an emphatic night for the Warriors.
Are you watching Hull KR?
Consider this win a statement about Wigan’s intentions as they set out into the 2026 season. They’ve beaten Castleford Tigers and Hull FC this season so far, but the thrashing of Lam’s side, who finished third last season, was by far their most impressive and what’s scary is they’re only just getting started.
So, who’s stopping Wigan this season? Well, on the back of performances you certainly wouldn’t bet against them going all the way this year and they have the opportunity to build up a real head of steam now, with Toulouse Olympique, York Knights and Huddersfield Giants up next on their schedule in Super League before Easter.
Leigh injury crisis
The Leopards were dealt a huge blow in just the seventh minute of the contest as Joe Ofahengaue was forced to leave the field with a lower leg issue. The big prop, who so often sets the tone for the Leopards, was brought down by Brad O’Neill by a tackle that appeared to be verging on a hip drop and will surely be looked at by the Match Review Panel.
But, the forward knew instantly that he could not continue and with a grimace on his face, he took himself to the side of the field. Serious injuries have been a theme across the division over the opening couple of weeks, but Lam will be hoping and praying for good news on Ofahengaue.
Leigh were without Edwin Ipape at the Brick Community Stadium, too, with the hooker thought to be out with a knee injury, while Matt Davis left the field with a head injury, too.
And in the final couple of minutes, Bailey Hodgson appeared to pick up a knee injury. With David Armstrong still on the comeback trail after his own knee injury, Leigh could find themselves without a recognised full-back next week.
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New signings struggling
It’s round three, but it’s just not working for Leigh’s new man in the halves, Adam Cook, so far and Thursday night was certainly not his night. The half-back was responsible for the ball hitting the deck on more than a couple of occasions, spoiling the rare moments Leigh looked capable of at least asking a question.
Jacob Alick-Wiencke visibly struggled too, particularly defensively with the former Gold Coast Titans man failing to get to grips with Wigan’s more nimble players in Jai Field and Harry Smith, who both set up tries following Alick-Wiencke’s lazy defensive efforts.
Leigh have Catalans Dragons next week before facing Hull FC in the Challenge Cup and they desperately need a reaction.
The feud continues
If you thought Derek Beaumont’s feud with Wigan Warriors had been forgotten about, think again. The Leigh owner released another statement about 30 minutes before kick off at the Brick, labelling Wigan’s treatment of Leigh fans last year as ‘inhumane and unnecessary’.
He also claimed that last season’s play-off clash was one of the major reasons why Leigh travelled with limited support on Thursday night.
You can read the full statement here.
