Wigan showed they are in good form for the World Club Series showdown with Cronulla by launching their defence of the Super League title with an irresistible first-half display to sweep aside Salford on Saturday.
They led 26-0 at the break and had anyone from Cronulla snuck in to take a peek at Wigan, they will have been mightily impressed. In the second half they were handed a stiffer test when Salford rallied to threaten a late comeback, but by then the visitors’ job had been done.
While the NRL champions arrive in the country with expectation rather than hope that they can strengthen Australia’s stranglehold on the World Club Series, large aspects of Wigan’s performance at least offers belief they are in good enough shape to try to secure Britain’s first win in the extended event.
Any doubts Wigan may already have one eye on Sunday were quickly put to bed within an opening half of complete dominance. Wigan were in control, but it was perhaps the way they racked up points almost at will that will have caught the eye.
Questions were levied at Shaun Wane on a number of occasions last season for the way his side played on their way to winning the Grand Final, but here Wigan were at times untouchable on their way to a half-time advantage they never really looked like surrendering.
Oliver Gildart broke the deadlock after a smart piece of play from Joe Burgess to keep the ball alive before Burgess – on his second debut for the club after returning from the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the NRL – touched down an inch-perfect kick from George Williams to make it 10-0.
A wonderful break started and finished by Gildart for Wigan’s third try underlined their effervescent style of play before Williams produced a stunning piece of footwork to touch down.
Salford had their chances during Wigan’s attacking masterclass, but after come up short numerous times, the visitors punished them with a fifth try via Joel Tomkins that seemed to settle the game as a contest before the half-time hooter had sounded.
Salford’s comeback in the Million Pound Game last year emphasised they should never be written off, and had Wigan not produced some wonderful last-ditch defending in the early stages of the second half, the story may have been markedly different.
Salford certainly showed encouraging signs in the second half that Ian Watson’s side can approach the season with confidence.
However, a late rally via tries from Junior Sa’u and Michael Dobson proved to be mere consolation against a Wigan team who can look forward to Sunday’s battle to be crowned world champions with cautious optimism.
