LAM STEWIN’
Adrian lays into ‘embarrassing’ Wigan after Catalans collapse
ADRIAN LAM branded Wigan‘s flops an “embarrassment” after their humiliating defeat by the Catalans Dragons.
The shell-shocked Warriors coach tore into his players after they were given the runaround at the sun-drenched Stade Gilbert Brutus.
After their 100 per cent Super League start was ended in humiliating fashion with this thumping, Lam said: “That was a horror car crash and we don’t have any excuses.
“It was an absolute embarrassment and one of the worst Wigan performances I have been associated with.”
A scoreless Wigan wilted in the 30-degree heat and humidity of Perpignan, producing a jaded performance riddled with indiscipline and handling errors. And the late dismissal of full-back Zak Hardaker for a head-butt on his England rival Sam Tomkins only added to Wigan’s woes after shipping eight tries.
To rub salt in their wounds it was former Warriors players who did most of the damage.
Michael McIlorum and Sam Tomkins scored early tries to put their old team on the backfoot and Tomkins grabbed his second to give Catalans a 16-0 lead at the break.
Arthur Mourgue was next over the line closely followed by a double for Josh Drinkwater.
Another former Wigan star, Tom Davies, then cut loose on a 40-metre run down the right wing and provided the pass for Mike McMeeken to crash over untouched.
Despite the best efforts of Jackson Hastings and John Bateman, Wigan lacked direction and too often possession was lost through sloppy errors.
Three penalties in a row put Wigan in promising positions towards the end, but their handling let them down in the face of ferocious defending from the Dragons.
Then Bateman threw the ball into the face of Benjamin Jullien and Catalans were back on attack with Mathieu Laguerre sealing the rout with a try in the left corner.
Catalans have now beaten Hull, St Helens and Wigan in their last three games and look a real threat.
With a week off because of the Challenge Cup that will allow Matt Whitley and Fouad Yaha to return from injury.
As for Wigan, they will need to use the cup hiatus to reassess in a wake-up call for Lam’s side.
Catalans coach Steve McNamara said: “We’ve had a great start to the season and the challenge now is to maintain that and improve.
“The patience and composure we are showing this season will carry us forward and I’m very proud and happy with the performance.”
CATAlANS: Tries: McIlorum, Tomkins (2), Mourgue, Drinkwater (2), McMeeken, Laguerre. Pens: Maloney. Cons: Maloney (7).