It was a weekend all about the teams at either end of the Super League table.
Wigan boss Shaun Wane made wholesale changes to his side, much like he did at this stage last season. That time around it didn’t quite work but at the weekend they pulled off a special 33-32 win over Widnes.
You have to say that the Warriors’ youth set-up looks very good judging by that performance. I was so impressed by Sam Powell, who is very much a No7 for the future, and it was great to see Jason Robinson’s son, Lewis Tierney, make his Wigan debut.
In contrast, the London Broncos (above) lost 82-10 to leave them rooted at the bottom of the table. It was easier to work out which Warrington players didn’t score against them as it was that bad.
I’d toyed with going to the game and now I’m glad I didn’t.
It capped a terrible week for the club. Their talisman and best player this season, Craig Gower, has left for personal reasons and joined the Newcastle Knights. That must be such a kick in the teeth while hooker Chad Randall is now out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury.
At least there’s no relegation at the end of the season and the club are still in the Challenge Cup.
Team of the week
Wigan — There were wholesale changes in their team and, in the end, it paid off.
Performance of the week
Sam Powell — He reminded me of a young Sean Long. His cool drop goal at the end on Friday night was something special.
Pick of the weekend
The attention is off the Super League and more toward the World Cup, when England take on the Exiles in the International Origin fixture in Warrington on Friday night.
Martin Offiah will be writing a column in the Evening Standard every Monday throughout the season
