Wigan Warriors vs Leeds Rhinos player ratings as two men stand out in one-sided victory

Wigan Warriors might not have been able to win the League Leaders’ Shield on Friday but they had more than enough to beat Leeds Rhinos at the Brick Community Stadium. The Warriors beat Brad Arthur’s side 38-0 and now just need to avoid defeat on the final day against Salford Red Devils in order to seal the league crown next weekend.

The Cherry and Whites were simply too hot to handle in the opening 20 minutes of the contest with their intensity, power and line speed helping to break the Rhinos early on with two spectacular tries. The first came through Jake Wardle, who showed his athleticism to touch down in the corner with a flying finish after seeing Liam Marshall knock Harry Smith’s delicate kick back into his hands.

Some turnstile defending was at fault for the second try Leeds conceded with Mikolaj Oledzki jumping out of the line to allow Kaide Ellis the chance to burst through and put Bevan French over.

Marshall got in on the act before the break as he finished a move that involved quick hands from Jai Field and an offload out of the back from Wardle, before Ellis touched down for a fourth after the break.

French, who was a constant thorn in the Rhinos’ side, set up Wigan’s fifth with a delightful grubber through the line to allow Abbas Miski to finish. It was Smith that created Adam Keighran’s try though, with a chip over the top.

Smith helped to round off Leeds’ misery with another delicate dink over the top for French to run onto a score with just seconds left on the clock. A dominant night for Matt Peet’s side, who appear to be heading into the play-offs in commanding form.

Player of the match

Harry Smith. Kicked Leeds to death throughout the contest. The half-back had roles to play in numerous Wigan tries with his ability to open Leeds up with the boot being lethal.

Leeds couldn’t handle Bevan French either with the Australian playing ominously close to his best, while Jai Field, Kaide Ellis, Jake Wardle and Liam Marshall are among those that deserve a mention.

Key moment

The gulf between the two sides was evident from the first few minutes as Wigan made the most of their dominance to get the scoreboard ticking over through Wardle.

Wigan Warriors v Leeds Rhinos player ratings

Wigan Warriors: Jai Field 8, Abbas Miski 7, Adam Keighran 7, Jake Wardle 8, Liam Marshall 8, Bevan French 9, Harry Smith 9, Ethan Havard 7, Kruise Leeming 8, Luke Thompson 7, Junior Nsemba 7, Liam Farrell 7, Kaide Ellis 8.

Bench: Liam Byrne 7, Patrick Mago 7, Tom Forber 7, Tyler Dupree 7.

Leeds Rhinos: Alfie Edgell 6, David Fusitu’a 5, Paul Momirovski 4, Harry Newman 5, Riley Lumb 7, Brodie Croft 5, Matt Frawley 5, Mikolaj Oledzki 5, Andy Ackers 5, Justin Sangare 5, James McDonnell 6, Rhyse Martin 6, Cam Smith 6.

Bench: Sam Lisone 5, James Bentley 6, Jarrod O’Connor 5, James Donaldson 5.