England prop Ethan Havard isn’t just out of Wigan’s trip to Las Vegas - coach Matty Peet says the 24-year-old will be sidelined for “a few months at least”.
Peet revealed the blow after the Warriors opened their Challenge Cup defence with a 48-12 win over Sheffield at the frozen artificial tundra of the steel city’s Olympic Legacy Park, where Australian centre Adam Keighran kicked eight goals from as many attempts.
“Ethan’s definitely out for a while - he’s pulled his hamstring at training,” Peet said after the start of a new-look round three for the Cup, which has sparked debate over safety by pitting some Super League teams against amateur opposition.
“He was recovering from his AC - that’s why he didn’t play in those (pre-season) games and then since the friendlies - I’m gutted for him - he’s pulled his hamstring in practice.
“He was training the house down. We await further consultation, opinion on how best to deal with it. It’s going to be a few months at least … months rather than weeks.”
Luckily for Peet, Harvie Hill who started in the front row in Sheffield has been close to his form player of the pre-season.
“We have to look at it that way,” Peet said. “We have got a healthy (sized) squad for a reason, and we choose to carry quite a few front rowers for that reason.”
Winger Abbas Miski and centre Jake Wardle would be available to return from injury in the Super League season opener against Leigh on Thursday, the coach said.
Wigan muffed four kick-off receptions, handing the ball back to the Eagles and this led to both their tries. Peet blamed the artificial surface, which have could have been a factor in Vegas if the astroturf was in use at Allegiant Stadium.
However, the NRL’s preference for the event is natural grass.
