“We think the world of Jack”-Matty Peet lauds debut display of Jack Farrimond

Wigan Warriors boss Matty Peet has lauded the debut display of young half-back Jack Farrimond in the Warriors 60-22 win over the London Broncos.

Farrimond, 18, had big boots to fill coming in for England international Harry Smith, but he took to Super League like a duck to water. He grabbed an early assist, and also fronted up defensively as the World Champions ran away with the two-points.

Speaking to the media after the game, Matty Peet was full of praise for his latest debutant: “We think the world of Jack,” said Peet. “I thought, for his age…well for any player really, he was physically excellent against some strong ball carriers.”

“I think that’s the main thing when you look at a young player, whether they’re ready for this (Super League), it’s the physical side of the game and I thought from minute one he showed that he was there to compete. We know he has the ability, and his game sense is outstanding. He’s gonna get more opportunities but I think him and Ryan Hampshire today were they did a great job.”

He added: “I don’t want to hype him up too much. We think highly of him. You don’t put a player into a Wigan shirt at 18 if you don’t have respect for them and high hopes of his potential.”

Peet also gave a glowing report on Ryan Hampshire following his impressive display: “I thought he (Ryan Hampshire) was close to Man of the Match today. He did exactly what Thomas asked him to do which was take the line on with his running game and build the game.”

Farrimond was just one of several young Warriors players to put their hands up in the Capital. Zach Eckersley, Harvie Hill and Tiaki Chan made good impacts on the game, and Junior Nsemba marked his return to action with a solid showing, and Peet was quick to praise the work of academy and reserve coaches John Dufty and Shane Eccles for the development of his latest crop of talent.

“If there was anyone I would single out of that performance it’s probably John Dufty and Shane Eccles really. If you look at Harvie Hill, Junior Nsemba, Zach Eckersley and Tom Farber, they’ve coached them probably more than we have for the last few years; so a massive amount of credit goes to our Academy Reserve coaches and scholarship coaches before that.”

London Broncos 22-60 Wigan Warriors-report

The reigning World Champions got off to the best possible start with two tries in the first 10 minutes.

A clever steal from Luke Thompson gifted Wigan possession in London territory, and quick hands from debutant Jack Farrimond sent Jake Wardle over for the score. His effort was swiftly followed by a second, as Abbas Miski burrowed over from short range to score against his former side.

London needed to stem the tide, and they did just that as Jacob Jones crashed over from short range for their first score of the game.

Wigan hit back quickly though, as Tyler Dupree fought his way to the line for their third try of the half.

The try fest nearly continued, but both sides saw tries chalked off the record. Patrick Mago couldn’t resist the urge to reach out and score after the tackle was adjudged to be completed, and this was quickly followed with an acrobatic Lee Kershaw effort, but the former Wakefield man dropped the ball in the act of scoring.

Wigan did eventually get their forth of the afternoon through Harvie Hill, with the young forward running through three Broncos defenders for his first try in Wigan colours.

Kershaw was denied earlier on, but the former Trinity man couldn’t be denied a second time as he again went over in the corner. His effort cut the Warriors lead to just 10 points going into the sheds.

The Broncos momentum continued in the opening exchanges of the second-half, as Jordan Williams latched onto Rhys Kennedy’s audacious offload to score.

Wigan made the next dents in the scoreboard to take the sting out of the Broncos. Adam Keighran’s goal grew their lead to eight points, an effort which ultimately opened the floodgates for the Warriors.

Brad O’Neil scampered in from dummy half shortly after Keighran’s penalty. His score was swiftly followed by Patrick Mago, who avenged his earlier ruled out try.

If this wasn’t enough for the traveling Warriors supporters-who were in great voice all afternoon-Zach Eckersley raced home from 70 metres to score his first for the club.

Ryan Hampshire would be the next Warrior to get his name up in lights, as he coasted in from the back of the scrum.

The one way traffic eventually ended, as Kershaw grabbed his second of the afternoon in almost identical fashion to his first.

A costly knock-on from the resulting kick-off gifted the defending champions the ball just 10 meters out, which allowed Hill to notch his second of the match after some silky play from Mago and Tiaki Chan.

Wigan gave their traveling supporters one final treat through Adam Keighran. A perfectly executed training-ground move saw Jai Field scamper through the Broncos defence, who then sent the former Catalans Dragon in to round off a dominant win for the defending champions.