Wane: We need to be better and smarter

MJ Black

Shaun Wane admitted a draw was a fair result as Wigan came from behind to secure at point at Huddersfield on Friday.

The Giants raced into a 13-0 lead, but Wane’s side fought back with George Williams’ long-range drop goal 12 minutes from time tying the game at 19-19.

Both sides had chances to secure a victory, but neither managed another score.

Wane said: “We weren’t good enough – there were too many penalties and too many errors.

“Danny Brough was good – his kicking game was great, but we showed character to stay in there and could have possibly won it.

“They’re a good team though and they’re flying and very confident at the minute. Overall I thought a draw was a fair result.

“We had our chances to win but giving away penalties on play five, dropping the ball on play one, you’re just giving yourselves a lot of work to do.

“We looked tired and that was a tough game in testing conditions but even when you’re fatigued you bend your back and don’t give penalties away, so I’m not giving any excuses to the players and they don’t want any.

“We just need to be better and smarter.”

Sam Powell said Wigan need to tighten up defensively if they’re to end their winless run in the league.

The Warriors haven’t picked up two points since beating Catalan back in April, but Powell thinks that run will end soon.

“We need to start winning games soon and we would’ve rather have got the win tonight but I think it’s an improvement from us,” he said.

“We know we can score points but our main aim is to keep the opposition to nil really so we want to do that.

“Our defence can be a bit better than it was – we want to keep improving now we’ve got more players back, so if we make a few tweaks then we should be better for it.

“We look more fluent now Sam (Tomkins) is back because he gets us to our plays when we need to, but we need to be a lot more clinical with the ball and not make as many errors.

“His experience is good for us and his leadership is great too. He talks a lot which is especially good for me at hooker and it helps Tommy (Leuluai) and George (Williams) out as well.

“Whenever we come out of the back he seems to be there at the right place at the right time, so we’re a lot more organised with him in the team and he has given us a boost.

“We need a win though and we’ll just keep putting in the hours at training.”