Warriors on a different planet

WE will only now how good John Monie's side is when they take on more testing opponents but if yesterday's performance was anything to go by the bookmakers assessment of making them Wembley favourites is far from fanciable.

It was men against boys as the well-oiled Warriors machine crushed the Cougars with a devastating display of speed and power which left the first division side's supporters marvelling at the display.

Skipper Andy Farrell took the man of the match award with another near-faultless display, while 10 goals to his personal tally of points passed the 1000 mark for the Central Park club.

Yet he was matched by nearly all his team-mates who produced rugby seemingly on a different planet to the Cougars.

Jason Robinson was almost unstoppable with the ball in his hands, while Henry Paul danced and weaved his magic, none the worse for an enforced lay-off with an arm injury. Hooker Robbie McCormack was again an inspiration while fellow Aussies Danny Moore and Mark Bell underline how their presence has transformed the strength of the threequarters.

Monie was delighted with the way his side had cruised home in the Silk Cut Challenge Cup fourth round without giving away any points in their first competitive game of the season.

"It's a cup game and you don't take any risks. We came here to take no prisoners. We played pretty tough defence and the attacking play looked very good to me as well. It was a really nice performance.

"If you line the players up talent for talent, it was heavily in our favour and we had some very good plays today. The pleasing thing for me was they trained with the ball in hand and they played as we trained.

"Everybody played well and I was pleased with McCormack again. It was the first time Moore started for us and his defence was excellent. With Gary Connelly, the centres will be very tough. We were solid in the forwards and Lee Gilmore came off the bench and impressed again.

"Chances are the next game will be a tough one so I am just hoping we get a home draw."

Wigan took the lead within two minutes and from then on tries came thick and fast as they notched 14 in all through Robinson (3), Paul (2), Murdock (2), McCormack, Bell, Gilmour, Haughton, Holgate, Connelly and Clarke.

The Cougars are having to be rebuild after nearly going to the wall last season, but they were left trailing 46-0 at the interval and try as they might they couldn't even threaten the Wigan line, let alone score.

Wigan: Radlinski, Robinson, Moore, Connelly, Bell, Paul, Murdock, Cowie, McCormack, Holgate, Cassidy, Haughton, Farrell. Sub: Hansen, (for Holgate 21), Gilmore (for Cassidy 21), Clarke (for McCormack 45) Smyth (for Murdock 59) Cowie (for Hansen half time) Cassidy (for Gilmore half time).

Attendance 4,700. Majestic performance: Andy Farrell.

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