Maguire stays cool on Wigan’s flying start (From The Bolton News)

Maguire stays cool on Wigan’s flying start

12:30pm Wednesday 24th February 2010 in

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MICHAEL Maguire is refusing to get carried away despite Wigan making their best start since 2001.

Warriors lead the way in Super League after winning their opening three games.

Maguire saw his new side stage a stunning fightback to beat Warrington 22-20 at the weekend — their first win at the Halliwell Jones in eight attempts.

Wigan’s 100 per cent start has sent hopes soaring that they can end an eight-year wait for silverware this season. But Maguire is trying to keep expectations in check ahead of Friday night’s home clash with bottom club Catalan Dragons.

“It’s early in the competition and there’s a long way to go,” said the Australian coach. “I’m not getting ahead of myself. It’s only round four and we’re focusing on that. There’s a lot of things we want to improve on and the boys have identified areas they need to work on which is great.”

Wigan’s victory over Warrington on Saturday has become an early contender for game of the season.

Super League has suffered in comparisons to the game Down Under over the years, but Maguire, who replaced Brian Noble last summer, has been impressed by what he has seen since switching from NRL.

“It’s very similar,” said the former Melbourne Storm assistant. “The contact and intensity of the game (against Warrington) was definitely there and was probably better than a number of the games you see in the NRL.

“It was a very good spectacle for Super League. The games are getting closer and closer. Every game we’ve played so far has been a very intense, physical match, so I don’t see a lot of difference at all.”

Rock-bottom Catalan have yet to win this season, but Maguire is taking nothing for granted against the French club.

He added: “Catalan are a big, physical team and it’s going to be another challenge for the boys.”