
Wigan Warriors have had their first taste of pre-season action today when they faced Championship side Oldham at Boundary Park in a game that saw the Super League champions experiment.
Matt Peet had revealed previously that he would play a strong and experienced forward pack with the backs being a lot younger and he stuck true to his promise with all of Kruise Leeming, Tyler Dupree, Liam Byrne, Sam Walters and Harvie Hill starting the game.
The Warriors’ only signing of the off-season and former Oldham player George Hirst also started but the biggest change was the fact that assistant coach Thomas Leuluai coached Wigan.
Leuluai has been a vital part of Matt Peet’s coaching staff with the ex-New Zealand international and former club captain Sean O’Loughlin both signed to long-term contracts at the same time as Matt Peet.
In his first bow as a head coach, Leuluai got to winning ways with Wigan securing a 28-16 win over Sean Long’s side.
Wigan Warriors defeat Oldham with ease
⏱ 𝙁𝙐𝙇𝙇 𝙏𝙄𝙈𝙀 @heatableUK
Our opening friendly ends in a victory at Boundary Park. #WWRL pic.twitter.com/u95Eat8NbK
— Wigan Warriors 🍒⚪️ (@WiganWarriorsRL) January 19, 2025
The Super League champions were on the front foot early as Oldham knocked on from kick-off and it didn’t take long for Wigan to take the lead as Tyler Dupree scored against his former club after just four minutes.
Two minutes later, winger Jacob Douglas scored following a Jack Farrimond kick before Liam Byrne then scored on the ten minute mark to make it 16-0 early on.
The hosts pulled one back on the 20-minute mark through former Wigan Warriors man Iain Thornley, at which point Wigan took off starters Leeming, Byrne and Dupree.
One of those replacements, hooker Tom Forber, scored within minutes to make it 20-6, a score that remained until the half-time hooter.
Oldham hit back after half time through Logan Astley but they were pegged back quickly when winger Josh Cartwright scored to make it 24-10 to the Super League side. Minutes later Finlay Yeomans scored to make it 28-10.
The hosts pulled one back as a consolation through Jay Chapelhow minutes after Jack Farrimond had almost gone the length of the field following an intercept, only to be stopped by Mo Agoro. Chapelhow’s try was the last of the match meaning Wigan claimed a 28-16 victory.
