Leigh

Leigh head coach Adrian Lam told BBC Radio Merseyside:

“There were three tries from poor skill and a fourth one where we fell asleep at the wheel. It’s not a whole team issue, it’s just three or four moments that really hurt us.

“It was individuals that didn’t nail skill at really big moments for us.

“I’m not going to get angry at the team. For 40 minutes I thought we were unbelievably good. I think we’re very close to being very, very good and I’ll hold onto that fact.

“I thought we dominated in most areas in that first half; we just have to put an 80-minute performance together.”

Wigan head coach Matt Peet told BBC Radio Merseyside:

“I’m very proud. It is a tough place to come against a team that’s flying. We had to overcome a bit of adversity. Leigh were excellent in the first half and we had to get a lot right to get the result.

“It had a play-off feel about it from minute one against a quality team who throw a lot at you.

“It will stand us in good stead. There are things that we can improve but the character of the team is very strong and defensively we looked very strong as well.”

On Jai Field’s try:

“It was a game-changing moment. He’s got that capability and instinct and obviously his pace. He’s a pleasure to watch.”

Leigh: O’Brien; Armstrong, Badrock, Hanley, Senior; Cook, Lam; Ofahengaue, Horne, Liu, Trout, Hughes, Brogan.

Interchanges: Mulhern, Vaalepu, Alick-Wiencke, Davis.

Wigan: Field; Hodkinson, Eckersley, Wardle, Marshall; French, Smith; Harvard, O’Neill, Thompson, Walters, Partington, Ellis.

Interchanges: Mago, Kerr, O’Loughlin, O’Connor.

Referee: Chris Kendall.

Cardiff head coach Corniel van Zyl believes Halfpenny’s achievements, including scoring 801 points while winning101 Wales caps and being a highly respected three-time Lions tourist, are invaluable attributes.

Van Zyl said: “It is clear and evident from last year’s work that all of our kickers improved. He is so professional and diligent in everything he does, so now moving into a full-time role I am excited to see the impact he will have.

“He will work with all of our kickers from goal-kicking and touch-kicking etcetera to our scrum-halves and their technique, but he will also work within the academy, which will be really beneficial for his growth and development as a coach.

“He has a great future as a coach and we are looking forward to welcoming him back to the Arms Park following another great experience with the national squad.”