Wigan make laboured Leeds pay in statement Super League drubbing

This was not so much a crucial Super League victory as it was a statement to the rest of the competition. Six days on from their dismantling of their great rivals St Helens in the ­Challenge Cup semi-finals, Matt Peet’s side have now humiliated the side that were top of the table heading into this weekend.

If you did not know the first ­trophy of the season was on the verge of being handed out, you do now. With their date with Hull KR only a fortnight away at Wembley, Matt Peet’s side have clicked into gear at precisely the right time – just as they have done so many times over the past four or five seasons.

All of a sudden, the side that lost four successive league games last month are transformed. Whether it is the whiff of more history at Wembley that has stirred them into life remains to be seen but this commanding win over Leeds Rhinos was further proof that when it truly matters, Wigan often find a way to peak.

The Leeds coach, Brad Arthur, will be glad to never step foot inside Wigan again, having lost on all three of his visits here. This was the nadir of their season so far as the Rhinos fell short in their biggest match of the season. One loss does not define a campaign but there is no ­doubting that Leeds were comprehensively beaten.

Leeds were arguably at an ­advantage having had a two-week break since their previous fixture, but it was the Warriors who looked the fresher and faster side in the early exchanges. It took the hosts only six minutes to take a deserved lead, as Adam Keighran’s cross-field kick was collected by Jack Farrimond to touch down.

Wigan continued to assert their dominance and, while their second try came in chaotic circumstances, it underlined their superiority. Jake Connor’s wayward pass was plucked from the air by Keighran, who raced away and while Leeds attempted to halt the attack, Keighran eventually touched down in the corner.

The Australian converted to put Wigan 12-0 up and, with Leeds ­labouring at both ends of the pitch, it was hard to argue with that score. There were chances for the ­Rhinos, most notably when a run of 10 ­consecutive tackles on the Wigan line led to Harry Newman ­coming close for the visitors, but he dropped a Lachie Miller kick at the crucial moment.

And Wigan made the Rhinos pay. An error from Leeds coming out of their own half handed the hosts another opportunity to strike and they duly took advantage, as Harry Smith’s wonderful cut-out pass ­enabled Noah Hodkinson a free run to the corner.

Leeds simply had to score next in a game that was rapidly spiralling out of their control. They were at least able to repel some more Wigan ­pressure in the moments just before half-time, but it was nothing more than a small mercy. As the hooter sounded the point remained the same: the Rhinos had to strike soon to stand any chance.

But the second half could not have begun much worse for them. Ryan Hall dropped a regulation kick and when Leeds were penalised three plays later, Keighran added his third goal from the tee to make it 18-0.

It would then get even better as Smith’s chip kick was collected by Hodkinson, who turned the ball inside for Jake Wardle to score. ­Trailing 24-0, Leeds were done.

They did little to suggest a grand comeback was on the cards, but they weren’t being helped by the brilliance of Wigan’s defensive line. The ­Warriors weren’t giving Leeds’ attacking players an inch with the reigning Man of Steel, Connor, toiling as his England rival Smith ran the show for the hosts.

Leeds were nilled on Arthur’s first visit here two years ago, and they at least avoided that fate again when Maika Sivo scored his 18th Super League try of the season – but by that point, Wigan knew the job had long since been done.