Wane relieved after Wigan’s arm-wrestle win over Hull

Wigan coach Shaun Wane has admitted that last Friday’s clash between the Warriors and Hull FC was not the most attractive of games to watch.

Nevertheless, he was delighted that his players secured the win, after a traumatic week for the club following the hammering by Castleford Tigers.

“It wasn’t pretty,” he said after the 13-12 win over Hull at the DW Stadium.

“It was poor conditions, the field was claggy for both teams, it looked like slow motion at times.

“That lent itself to being a good arm-wrestle of a game.

“Both sides completed fairly high. I think our attack was very crisp at times, and we created some chances.

“If we’d have been clinical in that final quarter of the field, we’d have posted 24 points easily.”

A defensive mix-up under a high ball led to Hull’s second try, scored by Fetuli Talanoa. Despite that error, Wane still believed that his team deserved their narrow win.

“That was stupid, what happened there with that try, to put us under pressure,” he added.

“They hadn’t earned that. It was just two senior professionals not doing the right thing, which is simple and frustrating, but it nearly got us in the end.

“I’m just glad that it didn’t. Overall, we were the best team.”

A Matty Smith drop goal was sandwiched by two Hull tries, and the one-pointer ended up being crucial for the Warriors.

Wane was pleased with how both of his half-backs performed on the night.

“I thought Matty did really well, and Sam Powell” he said.

“When they decided to run and play at them, I thought they were miles more effective.

“Everybody at this club has been under pressure this week, and it was one of those games where we get the two points no matter what, and worry about the performance afterwards.”