Leeds 6-19 Wigan: Zak Hardaker inspires Warriors to victory at Headingley

Zak Hardaker put in a man of the match performance to help Wigan win 19-6 against Leeds at Headingley.

Kyle Eastmond made his debut for Leeds following his code switch back to rugby league, and he started in the halves.

Wigan full-back Bevan French pulled up sore with a lower back issue in training the day before the game, so the Warriors took the precaution to rest him so that he would be okay to return next week.

Liam Farrell and Hardaker – both hoping to be in England’s squad for the World Cup – scored in the first half to put the Warriors in to an 8-0 lead at half-time.

Alex Mellor brought the Rhinos back into the game in the second half but Jackson Hastings then scored to extend Wigan’s lead.

Farrell got his second late in the second half to put the game out of reach for Leeds, with Hardaker adding a drop goal in the dying embers of the game to wrap up a 19-6 win for Wigan.

Leeds: Broadbent; T Briscoe, Mellor, A Sutcliffe, L Briscoe; Eastmond, Martin; Oledzki, Leeming, Prior, Walters, Donaldson, Smith. Subs: Dwyer, O’Connor, Gannon, Hall.

Tries: Mellor Goals: Martin 1

Wigan: Hardaker; Hanley, Farrell, Isa, Bibby; Hastings, Leuluai; Singleton, Powell, Clubb, Smithies, Bateman, Partington. Subs: Bullock, Havard, Shorrocks, Smith.

Tries: Farrell (2), Hardaker, Hastings Goals: Hardaker 1 Drop Goals: Hardaker 1

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