French grabs two tries as Wigan beat Leeds

Betfred Super League

Wigan Warriors (12) 22

Miski, French 2, Wardle Goals, Keighran, 3

Leeds Rhinos (0) 6

With a convincing win over Leeds Rhinos, Bevan French helped the two-time defending Super League champions Wigan Warriors reach the play-offs on a high.

As the hosts went into the game with a Leeds side that had set out on the verge of a third-placed finish in the table, the French set Abbas Miski up for one tries and scored the other.

A Rhinos team that has now lost their final two regular season games ended up fourth in the table quickly received a second try from Jake Wardle.

Due to the injury issues, Leeds were unable to play the final-round game along with Jake Connor, who is regarded as influential.

Before they attempt to capture the last piece of domestic silverware in their possession, Wigan, whose quadruple of trophies last year redefined what it meant to dominate the game in the Super League era, will now have a week off.

The Warriors won’t be competing in the World Club Challenge this year, but Hull KR has taken the place of Wigan, who holds both the Challenge Cup and League Leaders’ Shield.

After 19 minutes, Leeds’ resistance at the Brick Community Stadium was unlocked by quick thinking and quick hands from the brilliant French, who found Miski free on the right and darted over for the game’s first try.

The Australian ran away for another touchdown minutes later when Brad O’Neill, Liam Farrell, and Adam Keighran brilliantly coordinated.

Leeds were denied a chance to score before half-time in a game that quickly fell apart after the break thanks to a try-saving tackle from Harry Smith on Jack Sinfield.

French scored his second try of the night from the penalty kill that Smith did not have on the ball to make it to the Rhinos.

Havard, Nsemba, Mago, and Leeming are exchanges.

Hankinson, Lumb, Newman, Watkins, Simpson, Croft, Sinfield, Oledzki, O’Connor, Jenkins, Gannon, McDonnell, and Palasia are Leeds Rhinos.

Bentley, Lisone, Holroyd, Shorrocks, and Holroyd are the exchanges.