Friday 19 September 2014 11:03, UK
Huddersfield coach Paul Anderson admitted his team were embarrassing as they slumped to a 57-4 defeat in their Super League qualifying playoff tie at Wigan.
It was the Giants' 10th defeat in 13 play-off ties and easily their heaviest as they conceded 10 tries to the reigning champions.
It was Wigan’s highest-ever playoff score and the Warriors had nine different try scorers on the night, including a first since his return from rugby union for Joel Tomkins.
"It's embarrassing," Anderson said. "We dipped our toe in the water and it was too cold for us.
"When we decide not to stick to the processes, that's what happens. When emotions get involved, people try to solve problems on their own.
"I thought Wigan were ready to play, they were very slick and we weren't at the races. Wigan were physically too big and too strong. We turned it in if I'm being honest."
Huddersfield had won on seven of their 10 previous visits to the DW Stadium and ended the regular season with a seven-match unbeaten run but they sorely missed their inspirational captain Danny Brough, who is expected to return from his groin injury for next week's sudden-death tie.
"I don't think Broughy would have helped out there today, as good a player as he is," Anderson continued.
I thought Wigan were ready to play, they were very slick and we weren't at the races. Wigan were physically too big and too strong. We turned it in if I'm being honest.
"But we are still two games from the Grand Final. Putting a series of good days together is the key. I've told them I'll name a team on Sunday."
Huddersfield had no answer to the creativity of Wigan half-backs Blake Green and Matty Smith, who finished with 21 points from a try, eight goals and a drop goal, or the searing pace of wingers Joe Burgess and Josh Charnley.
England international Charnley scored two tries and second rower Joel Tomkins scored his first for the club since returning from rugby union, much to the delight of younger brother Sam - back at the end of the NRL season - watching from the corporate boxes.
Wins over Leeds and Warrington sent Wigan into the play-offs with some momentum but coach Shaun Wane admitted he was surprised by the margin of victory.
I thought our middles were dominant and we attacked really crisply. I'm not going to get carried away but if we compete the way we did today and we keep that energy, we will trouble teams.
"Never ever in a million years," Wane said. "I just wanted to win, whether it was by one point or 50 points, but the manner we did it pleased me. I'll sleep well tonight.
"I thought our middles were dominant and we attacked really crisply. I'm not going to get carried away but if we compete the way we did today and we keep that energy, we will trouble teams."
Smith's man-of-the-match display justified his selection in the 2014 Super League Dream Team and keeps him in pole position for the England scrum-half role at the end of the season.
"He's got a big heart and is a smart player," Wane said. "He's playing well and defending tough."
Wane was also delighted with the contribution of former London Broncos centre Dan Sarginson, who has struck up a devastating partnership with Burgess.
"That edge was fantastic," he said. "Dan Sarginson has gone under the radar but he's been fantastic for me this year and now he's getting the plaudits he deserves."
