Shaun Wane: We didn’t underestimate Catalans, we were just poor

Wigan coach Shaun Wane insists his team didn’t underestimate Catalans’ weakened side following their narrow victory.

The Warriors edged past the Dragons 25-20 at the DW Stadium on Friday night.

With next week’s Challenge Cup semi-finals in sight, Catalans rested seven first team regulars for the game, but Wane insists Wigan did not take their opponents for granted.

Speaking after the game, he said: “They named a team that was strong, so we didn’t underestimate them at all.

“I just thought we didn’t put our stamp on the game and we didn’t grip it. We were our own worst enemy.

“Every year we have a really poor performance like that. It looked like we had 12 men and at times, it looked like we had the semi-final next week which is disappointing.

“I will be okay once I have put myself through hell watching it back this weekend. On the positive side, we managed to grind out the win and get the two points and that was the most important thing. The two points was key.”

Wigan’s recent recruit Chris Hankinson left the field and didn’t return, and Wane gave an update on his injury and who he is hoping to have back for the Super 8s in two weeks.

He added: “Chris got a blow in his eye and couldn’t see out of it.

“He is a bit better now, but it is a bit blurred so we couldn’t risk him going back on. We are hoping to have Lockers [Sean O’Loughlin], Ryan Sutton and George Williams back for the first game of the Super 8s.

“We are going to have a good two weeks training. We are having no time off and we are going to use it well. We are going to be firing in that first round. I want to see an improvement in how they played.

“I have made the decision that we are going to be in training [rather than having time off] and we are going to work hard.”

Wigan have a week off next week due to the Challenge Cup semi-finals taking place, but will start their Super 8s campaign the following week.