Catalans 28-0 Wigan: Dragons go above Wigan in Super League table- talking points
Catalans Dragons moved up to third in the Super League table after nilling Wigan at the Stade Gilbert Brutus for the second straight year.
A double from Mitchell Pearce, and other efforts from Mickael Goudemand and Samisoni Langi earned the win for the Dragons.
Catalans meanwhile, made five changes to the side that won at Warrington last week. Sam Tomkins, Micky McIlorum, Gil Dudson, Dean Whare and Joe Chan returned to the team after injuries and suspensions. They replace Romain Franco, Alrix Da Costa, Paul Seguier, Cesar Rouge and Sam Kasiano.
Meanwhile, the Warriors made three changes from last week’s narrow win in Toulouse. Jake Bibby, Tommy Leuluai and Willie Isa all came back into the matchday 17, in place of Abbas Miski, Harry Smith and Oliver Partington.
Match Report
It was Wigan who saw more of the ball early on, but they couldn’t quite make it count. Just before the 20-minute mark, the Dragons punished them.
Mitchell Pearce got the ball straight from a scrum, and stepped around Liam Farrell before burrowing his way to the line. Sam Tomkins added the conversion to open up a six-point lead.
Just a few minutes later, the Dragons extended their lead after a Tomkins penalty. They were given the penalty after Ben Garcia was caught high by Kaide Ellis.
That would soon become a 10-point lead, as Tomkins put over another penalty on the 25-minute mark. This time, the penalty was given after Farrell tackled Pearce without the ball.
Just before the break, Catalans were able to grab their second try. A kick near the posts came loose, and Mickael Goudemand was alert to it, and got the ball down. Tomkins maintained his perfect record with the boot.
HT- Catalans 16-0 Wigan
The Dragons went on to make the perfect start in the second half. Josh Drinkwater kicked the ball between the posts, Cade Cust couldn’t get there, but Pearce did for his second try. Tomkins landed his fifth goal of the evening.
Just past the hour mark, the Dragons scored their fourth try. Drinkwater was again put a grubber kick into the in-goal area, and this time it was Samisoni Langi who got there first before Kai Pearce-Paul to score. Tomkins added the conversion to edge the Dragons closer to 30 points.
With 10 minutes left on the clock, the game really livened up. Jordan Dezaria picked up Kaide Ellis in the tackle, dropped him on the floor and then went in for a second go. A couple of Wigan players came and dragged Dezaria off Ellis, before Ellis got up and threw a couple of punches at Dezaria. Both players were sent off, meaning both sides ended the match with 12 men.
FT- Catalans 28-0 Wigan
Team News
Catalans: Tomkins, Davies, Langi, Whare, Romano, Pearce, Drinkwater, Dezaria, McIlorum, McMeeken, Whitley, Jullien, Garcia. Subs: Dudson, Goudemand, May, Chan.
Tries: Pearce (2), Goudemand, Langi. Goals: Tomkins 6/6
Wigan: Field, Marshall, Bibby, Pearce-Paul, Hardaker, Cust, Leuluai, Singleton, Powell, Ellis, Farrell, Bateman, Isa. Subs: Mago, Smithies, Byrne, Shorrocks.
Talking Points
Catalans adapt to conditions better
The Dragons hosted Wigan in wet conditions in Perpignan. When it came down to it, they played the conditions better than Wigan were able to. They were able to keep the errors down, and just play their game.
Wigan architects of their own downfall
They started the match well, and kept possession well in the Catalans half of the pitch. However, they will be really disappointed with a couple of tries that they conceded. Two of the tries came off the back of errors in dangerous areas, and then indiscipline allowed Catalans to creep further forward.
Late Punch-up
Both teams would finish the game with men short. Jordan Dezaria and Kaide Ellis were both sent off after a punch-up following a tackle by Dezaria on Ellis. Given what we have seen already this season in terms of punishment for these sort of offences, both could be set for multiple match bans in the week.
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