Super League: Wigan Warriors up and running after beating Wakefield
Wigan brushed aside any fears over jetlag as they returned to winning ways with a 46-24 defeat of Wakefield Wildcats.
Last Updated: 02/03/14 6:33pm
The champions lost the World Club Challenge to the Sydney Roosters last weekend and head coach Shaun Wane rung the changes, bringing in a number of the club's promising youngsters.
Sean O'Loughlin was one of just nine players retained and he justified his selection with two first-half tries as Wigan secured their first points of the season after dropping their opener to Huddersfield.
O'Loughlin was withdrawn three minutes into the second half, with the Warriors 30-12 in front, and they continued to dominate in his absence, showing few signs of jetlag following their return from Australia.
Dom Manfredi and John Bateman both scored their first tries for Wigan while 19-year-old Joe Burgess, the only outside back to keep his place from Sydney, provided the highlight with a glorious long-range solo score.
The Warriors looked the livelier side from the start and right winger Dom Manfredi opened the scoring on four minutes.
Ali Lauitiiti barged over from 10 metres out to level matters but skipper Danny Kirmond's knock-on gifted Wigan a glorious attacking platform and they made the most of it when stand-off Blake Green got centre Iain Thornley charging through a gap for his side's second try.
O'Loughlin then supported a break from halfway by scrum-half Matty Smith to score his first try, adding a second within six minutes courtesy of a jinking run.
Further punishment
Wakefield could not get their hands on the ball and were punished further when Ryan Hampshire touched down Green's cross-field kick and when second-rower John Bateman took Logan Tomkins' pass to score.
Smith succeeded with just three of his six conversion attempts and Wakefield struck back either side of half-time to cut the deficit to 12 points.
A 90-metre break out of defence by new signing Jarrod Sammut set up the position for Kirmond to crash over five minutes before the break and Pita Godinet's interception got winger Peter Fox over four minutes into the second half.
The champions never looked like relinquishing their grip on the game, however, and prop Ben Flower forced his way over for a seventh try on 49 minutes and Smith's fourth goal made it 36-18.
Burgess then provided the highlight for the home fans with a glorious 70-metre break for his solo try and England second rower Liam Farrell proved unstoppable as he charged over for Wigan's ninth try.
Wakefield, who lost Kirmond for the last quarter with a leg injury, were down to 12 men by then following the sin-binning of full-back Richard Mathers for taking out Hampshire off the ball.
The Wildcats were well beaten but they had the final score when left winger Reece Lyne raced 90 metres for a fourth try and Sammut maintained his accuracy with his fourth goal.