Bashful Richards gives team-mates boost
Former Wests Tigers wing Pat Richards was quick to deflect the praise onto his teammates - despite scoring a hat-trick against Hull KR to help Wigan go joint top of the Super League.
Richards added six goals to his three tries in a mercurial 24-point haul as the Warriors made light work of Rovers, winning 40-6 to move level with Warrington and Huddersfield at the helm.
England five-eighth Sam Tomkins also ran in a hat-trick as Wigan ran Rovers ragged after the break, turning a 16-6 lead into their eventual 34-point winning margin.
But despite his starring display Richards, who also turned out for the Parramatta Eels in the NRL, is adamant the plaudits should be going elsewhere - specifically the Warriors forwards.
"The likes of Sam and I are just doing our job really," said Richards.
"The forwards had a fantastic game and they were a massive part of the win for us. It was definitely a team effort and hopefully we can kick on from here now.
"I like to have a bit of fun with Sam out there about how many points we have scored and hopefully we can continue scoring those tries.
"But there is no point in us looking at the table now. We need to make sure we are consistent and the table will look after itself."
Elsewhere, Huddersfield remain in contention with Wigan at the top after a 34-20 win at Hull FC - but boss Nathan Brown still tore a strip off his men.
The win was the Giants' 11th of the Super League season from 15 games and was largely inspired by a David Hodgson hat-trick but Brown sees plenty for them to work on.
"We went to Hull and got what we wanted against a good side - we got the win," said the former St George Illawarra Dragons coach.
"But there's no question our goal-line defence is letting us down at the moment, and that's a concern.
"We are a side that wants to do something in the competition this year but we won't make an impact if we keep on defending like we did against Hull.
"The first try we conceded against Hull, for instance, was embarrassing. We're giving away ten points a game at the moment, and that's just not good enough."
Meanwhile Warrington completed the three teams locked on 22 points at the top of the table after making light work of Leeds Rhinos - winning 42-6.
The triumph included scores from Monaghan brothers Joel and Michael and seven goals from Brett Hodgson.
But despite handing out a thrashing to the Rhinos, Wolves boss Tony Smith - a former Leeds coach - challenged his side to kick on from the win.
"Hopefully we're still playing a long way off our potential," said Smith - who saw the victory tempered by a medial ligament injury to Joel Monaghan.
"Any coach will find something to challenge any player or team on, but we are playing very well at the moment.
"We're playing confidently and with a lot of determination, all the ingredients you want to see as a coach."
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