Wigan 4 Huddersfield 34: Wigan booed off after Giants rout
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Your support makes all the difference.Wigan were jeered off by their own supporters after reserving their worst performance of the season for a Huddersfield side who belied their lowly Super League position by completely outplaying them.
"I can understand the fans' frustration, but it looked as though a lot of people weren't giving the effort required," was the Wigan coach Brian Noble's damning assessment.
A Giants team heavily loaded with ex-Wigan players showed far more enthusiasm than the home side, who could be without Gareth Hock for an extended period after he was sent off for appearing to push the referee, Ian Smith.
Huddersfield took the lead through a Chris Thorman penalty and it was no surprise that it should be two old boys who combined to put Wigan further in arrears, Luke Robinson putting in a kick for the corner and David Hodgson touching down.
The introduction of Wigan's latest Australian import, Tim Smith, from the bench perked them up but they fell further behind when a pass from Hock to Phil Bailey went horribly wrong and finished up in the arms of Paul Whatuira, who loped away to score.
Mickey Higham's pass was then intercepted by another ex-Wiganer, Martin Aspinwall. He could not quite go all the way, but Darrell Griffin got over from close range. It got even worse in the second half with Trent Barrett knocking on from the kick-off and Jamahl Lolesi capitalising with a fourth Huddersfield try. Another loose ball deep in their own territory saw Wigan again punished, this time by Ryan Hudson. The home side finally scored when Pat Richards touched down Barrett's kick.
Yet, a bad night got worse when Hock was sent off for confronting the referee after having a try disallowed. Hodgson's second try completed the rout.
Wigan: Richards; Colbon, Goulding, Carmont, Phelps; Barrett, Leuluai; Fielden, Higham, Coley, Bailey, Hock, J Tomkins.
Substitutes: Paleaaesina, Hansen, O'Carroll, Smith.
Huddersfield: Cudjoe; Aspinwall, K Brown, Whaturia, Hodgson; Thorman, Robinson; Mason, Hudson, Raleigh, Lolesi, Wild, Kirmond. Substitutes: Jones, Snitch, Griffin, Jackson.
Referee: I Smith (Oldham).
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