Rob Gronkowski: Rugby League Expert
Vegas-bound Wigan’s first loss in 169 days was completely overshadowed by a season-ending ACL injury to ex-Parramatta favourite Maika Sivo.
The Super League champs fielded their superstars like Bevan French, Jai Field and Liam Farrell for the first time this year in a Headingley pre-season game that doubled as the Testimonial for Rhinos centre Ash Handley.
It was Handley who scored first as the Cherry-and-whites’ winning run that goes back to August ended 22-4 in freezing conditions.
Wigan did manage the try of the match in the 31st minute when French kicked and Adam Keighran scooped the ball back into the in-goal, Greg Inglis style, for captain Farrell, who in turn tapped it back for 21-year-old Zach Eckersley to score.
“I think Bevan saw Sivo coming in from a few miles away and put the kick in,” said assistant coach Sean O’Loughlin, who was in control for the day. But replays show Sivo bringing French down, only for the Fijian giant to fail to regain his feet.
Play was held up as he hobbled off with the help of trainers after suffering a left knee injury and the Rhinos confirmed that the blockbusting winger had been ruled out for the entire Super League season.
“Our first thoughts are with Maika and we will all get round him and give him and his family our support," Sivo’s former Eels coach - and now his boss at Leeds - Brad Arthur said.
"Our medical team will make sure he has the best possible treatment to come back from the injury as soon as possible. Maika is a strong character and I am sure he will throw himself into his recovery to get back to his best."
O’Loughlin gave his big names half a game, or in the case of Bevan a bit less.
“We know what pre-season games are about - you want to win them but that’s not necessarily the priority,” the former international back-rower said.
“They boys who’ve come in from Christmas time, this is their hit out and it’s probably, physically, just getting used to being bashed about, stretching the lungs out, getting used to… hitting other people. It was a pretty physical game.”
Australian-born Lebanese winger Abbas Miski and England prop Ethan Havard remained on the frigid sidelines due to injury interrupted pre-season training.
Miski had end-of-season knee surgery after suffering an MCL injury in the grand final.
Youngsters Tom Forber and George Hurst each received accidental fingers in the eyes during yesterday's game.
O'Loughlin was asked about competitions for spots in the 17 against Leigh in February 13's season-opener and also for spots on the plane to Vegas a week and a half later, for the historic encounter with Warrington.
"There might be one or two decisions to make in the middles, in the pack, and on the bench," he said.
"I think our outside backs, our spine, is pretty much set in stone going into round one after the Challenge Cup. There's probably a bit more competition for the front row, the middles."
Regarding Allegiant Stadium, he said, "outside that 17 or 18 there, there's a bit of competition. You tend to take a few lads who can cover a number of different positions - an outside back, maybe a half and a forward.
"There's probably a bit more discussion in that for us for our cover because there's no quick change luxury over there."
Hooker Brad O'Neill (knee) is expected to be the only senior-squad member unavailable for round one.
When Wigan were last beaten, on August 10 last year, it was also by Leeds and also at Headingley.
