Wane far from happy

Ian Millward: his Cas side were hit by late withdrawals

Shaun Wane: praise for Epalahame Lauaki

Wigan coach Shaun Wane admitted their bright start might have made the Warriors complacent against Castleford.

The league leaders looked set to run riot after opening up a 16-0 lead inside 10 minutes, but they were pegged back and had to battle at times for their 40-16 win.

"I don't think scoring the tries so easily helped our cause," Wane said. "It's happened a few times this year so it's our mental approach.

"I thought we were scratchy. They had a few players out and a few came in wanting to prove a point to Ian Millward. In parts we looked good, in other parts we didn't look so good."

Tongan powerhouse Epalahame Lauaki was Wigan's unlikely hero with his first tries for the club.

The front rower had managed just one try in 27 Super League appearances for Hull in 2011 but he romped over for his first for Wigan - on his 23rd appearance - after only four minutes and two minutes later doubled his tally.

"He's pleased with them," said Wane. "His form has been good and he's getting better and better. He's big and solid and a tough man to wrestle with."

Wigan appeared to lose their way after watching centre Darrell Goulding being carried from the field on a stretcher after being knocked out in the first half.

"He was unconscious for two minutes but he's walking about," added Wane. "He's on his feet but he's looking a bit pale."

Castleford were hit by three late withdrawals, including new half-back pair Rangi Chase and Jamie Ellis, and lost skipper Danny Orr with a "dead leg" before half-time but they overcame their poor start to push Wigan all the way.

Spirited

"It was a very spirited performance," said Tigers coach Millward. "We were down to the bare bones but, if we keep playing with that attitude, we should enjoy our last three home games.

"I'm really pleased. We didn't have any ball early but when we completed a few sets in a row, I thought we had as much energy as the opposition.

"You don't like losing but I liked the attitude and performance, the guys stood up really well."

Millward expects to have Ellis back for next week's derby with Wakefield but Chase may have played his last game of the season after failing to recover from a knee injury sustained in last week's defeat by Warrington.

"He'll go for a scan tomorrow," Millward said. "He might need a minor operation. I don't think he'll play much over the coming weeks."

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