SUPER TOM’S THREE ‘N EASY
Hat-trick hero is back on track
HAT-TRICK hero Tom Johnstone turned on the style as Catalans surged to the top of Super League.
The prolific winger was too hot to handle for woeful Wigan as Steve McNamara’s side ripped them to shreds at Magic Weekend in Newcastle.
He has endured some horrendous luck in his career, including two ACLs. But he has now scored 17 tries in 15 games for the rampant Dragons.
McNamara, who also saw Matt Whitley (2), Arthur Mourgue, Arthur Romano and Sam Tomkins score in an eight-try romp, said: “Tom’s all-round game was just superb.
“I’m really pleased for Tom. He’s had a couple of dreadful years with injuries.
There was an opportunity for us to get him and he’s been great since day one.
“He’s a great kid who’s worked really hard. The team really appreciates him.”
Former England captain Tomkins, who helped create some of Johnstone’s tries down the ruthless left edge, was equally impressed.
He said: “Tom’s unbelievable. As a half-back playing on that side of the field, I don’t need to create too much.
“Tommy Makinson’s been the best in the comp for some time but outside of that, Tom Johnstone’s the best. I’d say they’re the two for England.” Challenge Cup holders Wigan were thankful for Abbas Miski, Liam Marshall and Morgan Smithies tries to save an even worse embarrassment.
But there was little doubt Matt Peet’s side were utterly outplayed.
Tomkins, who retires at the end of the season, rolled back the years against the team where it all started.
The decorated full-back, dogged by injury since the World Cup, has reverted to stand-off this term, where his dazzling career began with Wigan.
He probed and teased – and there was little error-prone Wigan could do to stem the tide.
They welcomed back star man Jai Field for the first time since he injured his hamstring in March. Peet fielded the Aussie full-back at stand-off but it was a gamble that backfired.
The Warriors were 24-8 down at the break, limited to Jake Wardle and Bevan French tries, while Harry Smith managed just one goal.
Peet conceded: “We were particularly poor in lots of areas. We were beaten to the punch in every area.
“We let ourselves down. It’s a bad day for us. They were clinical. I threw Jai back in at the deep end today. I’ve got to take responsibility for that.”
Elsewhere, the Betfred Super League salary cap has been frozen at £2.1million for the fifth year in a row, but with the addition of a third marquee player spot for homegrown talents.