Charnley: Excelled for Wigan
The way the boys stood up when they needed and put their hands up on certain plays, they all worked extemely hard for each other, so it was a very pleasing win
Michael Maguire
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Wigan coach Michael Maguire was full of praise for Josh Charnley after he helped the depleted Warriors topple Huddersfield.
The teenage winger scored one try and set up others for Sean O’Loughlin and Ryan Hoffman as the Cherry Whites moved top of the table with a 20-6 victory at the Galpharm Stadium.
Charnley also played his part with the boot, slotting over four goals having been handed the kicking duties after a shoot-out in training.
“He’s a talent,” said Maguire of Charnley. “I always knew at some stage he was going to pop his head up and he is taking his opportunities. It’s credit to him. He keeps working hard.”
On the kicking duties, he added: “We had a bit of a shoot-out in the week and Josh put his hand up. It was good to see him kick well tonight.”
The positive result for the reigning Engage Super League champions was even more impressive considering they were without a plethora of first-team regulars, included suspended pair Joel and Sam Tomkins.
Defensive efforts
Maguire praised the way his side defended against the Giants, who had not lost at home since suffering a reverse against the same opponents last May.
“It was up there with one of the best performances defensively I’ve been involved with,” added the Australian.
“The way the boys stood up when they needed and put their hands up on certain plays, they all worked extemely hard for each other, so it was a very pleasing win.”
Huddersfield coach Nathan Brown was not too disappointed, believing the defeat will prove to be a “good lesson” for his squad.
“I don’t think there was a great deal in it,” he said. “With two or three minutes to go, they had got two from kicks and we got one from kicks.
“They are obviously very good defensively. We had two real good chances to score in the first half and when you’re playing Wigan you’ve got to take them because generally you don’t get to create too many.
“There were another four or five times when against a lesser defence we would have scored tries.
“I’m planning on it being a good lesson for us. We just need to be a touch better when we’re playing Wigan.”
