Maguire: Happy with team
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Wigan coach Michael Maguire was left satisfied with his side’s all-round effort after they thrashed Crusaders 48-16 on Sunday.
The Warriors ran in eight tries during the contest as they killed the game off by racing into a 24-point lead by the half-hour mark.
Although the likes of Sam Tomkins and Josh Charnley earned many of the plaudits for racking up the points, Maguire says there was quality on show throughout the team.
“I thought our front row were the ones who put their hands up and gave us the hard metres today,” the Australian said.
“I’m glad Sam is on our team. He works hard week in and week out and the team really enjoy playing in the same side as him. It is great to have him but we have a lot of quality among the team.
“Everyone across the park played well and it was a great team effort.”
Landmark
Skipper Sean O’Loughlin was given the chance to knock over the last penalty of the match to celebrate his 250th match for the club.
Maguire added: “It was great to see the boys performing for Loughers. He is great for the team and to play 250 games for Wigan is a great achievement.”
The Crusaders managed to score three tries in the second half but coach Iestyn Harris was still left frustrated with the lack of resistance his side put up.
“I thought we were really soft in the first half and, when you are soft against a team like Wigan, you are going to concede points,” he said.
“I thought Wigan as a side, in the first half, were clinical and fantastic. We were ultimately soft and it was like a Rottweiler with a bone. They didn’t release it at all.
“We scored points at the back end of the second half but ultimately we were soft and that is why we were behind 30-0 at half-time.
“I thought we had turned the corner (in winning against Huddersfield Giants on Good Friday) and I thought we had some physical presence. I thought we had worked on that as a group but in the first 40 minutes, collectively as a group, we were not good.”
