Phil Clarke reveals very worrying Wigan Warriors statistic

Phil Clarke has revealed a very worrying statistic for Wigan Warriors.

As the Warriors lost 40-18 to Leeds Rhinos last night, Clarke revealed that Wigan were only the 10th best side at scoring tries in the opposition’s 20 – the best area for attacking opportunities – with Castleford Tigers and Wakefield Trinity the only sides worse.

He believed it was the reason why they didn’t get to the Grand Final last year:

“Wigan’s strike rate has been a problem. It was last season and is one of the reasons the Warriors lost at home in the play-offs against Leeds

“That problem has continued into 2023. Wigan rank 10th for tries scoring inside the opposition’s 20 metres.

“Only Castleford and Wakefield have been worse at scoring when the ball is close to the opponent’s try line.

“It is an area of concern and it is something they worked on a lot in pre-season, I know.

“When they lost to Leeds last season they had 56 play the balls close to the Leeds try line but only scored twice.

“It was phenomenal defence from Leeds but worrying from Wigan.

“In better weather and on a firm surface they should be better in the coming weeks.”

He also doesn’t think returning halfback Cade Cust is the key:

“When Wigan lost to Catalans early this season, Cade Cust was the stand-off and they took him off and put Jai Field at stand-off so don’t think that is the solution to their attacking problems.

“I don’t think he is the solution. He wasn’t the solution to their problems last year and he might not be immediately this year.”

Stevie Ward also believed that their inability to score more points in the first half was key to their defeat to Leeds last night:

“They did apply a lot of pressure. They just seemed to fade away the longer the game went on.

“Maybe they need to do more when they are on top in first halves.”