As Wigan Warriors defeated Catalans Dragons 48-4 last night to head into the play-offs with an unbeaten home record, the headlines were dominated by a certain halfback.
Cade Cust went off injured holding his elbow. He headed straight down the tunnel and re-emerged in a sling. After the game Wigan coach Matt Peet said on Sky Sports that he doubted that the halfback would feature in the play-offs particularly the semi-finals.
However, Wigan fans need not worry. Though Cust has been magnificent this season, the Warriors are about to have terrific options in their spine again with Sam Powell set to return and Thomas Leuluai already back in the firing line.
And let’s not forget last night’s Man of the Match Harry Smith who has really grown as a player in 2022 with some even calling for him to be picked for the World Cup by Shaun Wane though it seems he’ll have to settle for an England Knights spot under Paul Anderson for now.
Nonetheless, after the game his coach Matt Peet praised him live on Sky Sports: “He’s kicking well, more often than not he turns four into six. He’s building a game which is credit to the coaching staff but most importantly credit to him and his game.”
He wouldn’t comment on whether he should be England’s number seven saying: “I don’t like getting involved in that. We have some top halves in George [Williams] and Jonny Lomax but sometimes in these tournaments it’s a young player who comes out of the blue and grips them and it could be Harry but there’s a few queuing up there.
“I’d love to see him in that team, I’d love to see any player who’s come through our system playing. Whoever Shaun picks I’ll be behind them.”
Smith has had a terrific season and with the aforementioned George Williams struggling for form in 2022, Lewis Dodd injured along with other options like Jordan Abdull, maybe Smith should be considered.
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