Wigan Warriors got their play-off bid back on track during Monday’s impressive 22-0 win at Castleford Tigers, which ended a run of three straight defeats.
Now they face a serious test of their mettle when they face fierce rivals Warrington Wolves at the Magic Weekend on Sunday.
Here, Rugby League Live assesses the key issues facing Adrian Lam’s side as they gear up for the business end of the season.
Adrian Lam’s position finally clarified is a boost for Wigan
The worst-kept secret in rugby league was confirmed earlier this week when it was announced that Lam would be leaving Wigan at the end of the year.
The news came as no surprise and finally gave clarity to a situation that had arguably dragged on for too long already.
It could perhaps be argued that the uncertainty over Lam’s future – and whether he would be at the club next season – has affected the players this year.
After a bright start to their campaign, Wigan have been blighted by inconsistency and have suffered some painful losses.
Despite the situation over their coaching set-up might look beyond this season, the Warriors can at least move forward in the remainder of year and hopefully give Lam a glorious send-off.
Warrington clash a perfect opportunity to lay down a marker
Wigan have lost twice to Steve Price’s side this season, including a humiliating 40-14 home defeat at the end of June.
They lost again to the Wire four weeks later and will be hoping to make it third time lucky for 2021 at Newcastle’s St James’ Park.
This is a massive chance for the Cherry and Whites to prove how good they can as the play-offs approach.
Victory over the Wire would see Wigan take a massive stride towards the play-offs and encourage hopes they can compete for the Super League title next month.
But a loss would see doubts resurface over a Warriors side who have blown hot and cold, mostly cold, for the past three months.
Reunion with George Williams provides added intrigue
There is no denying that the England star’s decision to snub Wigan in favour of a move to Warrington was a massive kick in the teeth for his hometown club.
The Warriors had first option to resign Williams when he decided to leave Canberra Raiders midway through this season.
But he decided he wanted a new challenge at big-spending Warrington, where he could yet end his debut campaign as a Grand Final winner.
Warriors executive director Kris Radlinski told a fans forum this week: “We’d been talking to George for around about eight weeks and we put an offer together, which was the biggest ever contract in 149 years.
“And he phoned me up and said ‘it’s the hardest decision I’ll ever have to make, and I’ve been dreading doing it. But I feel as though I just want something different.’
“He probably got a few more quid as well. But I stand by that if a player doesn’t want to be here, then where do we go?”
Williams remains close to players like Oliver Gildart and John Bateman and it will be interesting to see how he fares playing against Wigan for the first time since joining Warrington.
Zak Hardaker’s future still in doubt
Conjecture continues to surround the future of one of Super League’s most enigmatic talents.
As Wigan’s executive director Kris Radlinski this week admitted during a fans forum, Hardaker’s future as a 'very live' situation and that his recent move back to Yorkshire was causing him travel issues.
However, he outright denied reports that Hardaker had met Castleford Tigers over a potential move to the club.
The former Leeds Rhinos star has a young son and his heart, and his wide family, remain in the Pontefract area, where he grew up.
Could Hardaker return to Wheldon Road? There is no smoke without fire and with Bevan French set to be Wigan’s first-choice full-back next season, it is not hard to see Hardaker moving on.
It might well suit all parties, so watch this space on that one.
