Wigan coach Wane wary of Salford’s ‘hand-picked’ players

Wigan coach Shaun Wane is feeling confident heading into Monday’s game against Salford at the AJ Bell Stadium.

The Warriors beat local rivals St Helens 12-4 in a close game at the DW Stadium on Good Friday, and now Wane thinks the time is right for his team to claim their first away win of 2015.

But he knows that the Red Devils have some real quality in their ranks, and will be itching to claim a victory themselves.

“We’re in a good position, but I know what we’re up against with Salford,” said Wane.

“They’re hand-picked as the best players in the world, so it’s going to be a real challenge.

“But my players will go there and put it to them. If we played with the heart and desire we showed [against St Helens], then we’ll give ourselves a chance to get two points.”

Wigan winger Joe Burgess scored the winning try for his team in Friday’s victory, and Wane felt that the player had showed some of his recent detractors his true quality.

“He’s a good player,” he said.

“He has had stick, but I know what he can do, and I don’t listen to the things like that, what was said about him.

“I just know what my team can do, I know what my players can do, and I know a lot of people have been really negative about us.

“But hopefully people will understand that when we stick to our systems we win games.”

Meanwhile, Wane was pleased that his team had emerged victorious from Good Friday’s battle against Saints.

Both teams had been depleted due to injury, and Wane felt that both sides showed real character to produce such a gripping contest.

“They’re a good team who are well-coached,” he said.

“They’re busted, we’re busted. We were without a starting middle, or Sam Powell, and Josh Charnley, our best try scorers.

“So both teams are busted, but I thought it was a good, old-fashioned, blood-and-thunder derby, and to come out winners on the back of that was a real good feeling.”