South Sydney coach-to-be Michael Maguire is refusing to panic despite his Wigan side crashing against St Helens, ensuring the defending Super League champions must do it the hard way if they're to win back-to-back grand finals.

A year ago, Maguire's side recovered from a home playoff defeat to Leeds to go on and prove victorious at Old Trafford.

But now, after going down 26-18 to their arch rivals at the DW Stadium on Sunday, they will have to do it again this year.

Tries from Saints skipper Paul Wellens and Jonny Lomax gave the visitors a 14-0 lead but Wigan replied through ex-Wests Tigers premiership winner Pat Richards and Sean O'Loughlin.

Wellens was on the scoresheet again however and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook also crossed, meaning while Saints can put their feet up next weekend, Wigan will be back at the DW Stadium for a sudden-death preliminary semi-final.

But Maguire insists all is not lost.

"We learned the hard way last year, when we had to play through, so it's another opportunity for us," said Maguire.

"We need to make sure we get everything right this week. We made too many errors and gave away penalties at crucial times. We have obviously made things a lot harder for ourselves.

"Saints showed a lot of hunger. They jumped on us early and got a start. There was always an opportunity there for us. The boys executed some good plays at times but unfortunately we didn't consistently do that.

"I did see some really good signs in areas of our game but there are areas where we need to make sure we're really sharp this week."

Meanwhile, former Penrith Panthers coach Royce Simmonds was left to toast his first victory over Wigan in charge of Saints.

"Although we hadn't beaten them we could have had at least two wins so we came here pretty confident we could do a job," he said.

"Our combinations are starting to get a bit of a roll. The young halves were really good. They played really square on and went to the line and I thought they kicked well.

"We had eight players sitting on the sidelines and four of them probably won't get back but there are two or three that we'll be trying to squeeze back in. The week off certainly helps."

On Friday, two tries from Australia international Joel Monaghan helped Warrington Wolves into the play-off semi-finals with a comprehensive 47-0 win over Huddersfield.

Matt King, who spent five years at Melbourne Storm, also crossed as the Wolves ran in nine tries in a victory which means they will also have next weekend off.

Huddersfield will play Leeds Rhinos, who proved too strong for Hull on Sunday. Kiwi duo Brent Webb and Weller Hauraki both scored in an impressive 42-10 win.

On Saturday, Steve Menzies' excellent recent form continued as Catalans Dragons racked up 10 tries in a 56-6 demolition of Hull KR, who were sent packing from the playoffs.

Ex-Australia international Menzies, 37, grabbed two tries to take his season tally to 14 - the most by a forward this season.

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