AB FAB FOR McNAMARA
Jordan ‘masterclass’ tames Wolves
STEVE McNAMARA saluted Jordan Abdull’s masterclass as injury-hit Catalans staved off a Warrington fightback.
The French club were missing half-backs Theo Fages and Jayden Nikorima as well as full-back Arthur Morgue but still had enough to end Wolves’ five-game winning run.
That was mainly down to onetime England stand-off Abdull who continues to impress on a seasonlong loan from Hull KR.
He inspired an 18-0 lead inside the opening 12 minutes as rookie half-back Ugo Tison, 22, came in for only his fourth Super League appearance.
McNamara said: “It was a really good win given the circumstances.
“Ugo came in from our reserves and held his own. We didn’t look out of sync. But Jordan Abdull really, really stepped up for us. He put on a bit of a masterclass with his kicking and his gamesense.”
Sam Burgess’ Warrington side had not lost since an opening day defeat over in Perpignan.
But with two-try England winger Tom Johnstone also influential, the French side triumphed again.
Stunned Warrington barely touched the ball as McNamara’s side ran riot during that blistering opening.
Winger Tom Davies got them started with a simple finish in the fourth minute, Abdull slotting the first of his four goals.
And they were in again in the next set when Wolves dozed. Abdull found space down the left, kicked ahead and the ball bounced up wickedly to elude full-back Matt Dufty, allowing Johnstone to race in from 20m.
Things went from bad to worse for the hosts as prop Paul Vaughan was yellow card for a dangerous tackle on Cesar Rouge.
That saw captain Ben Garcia burrow over before Burgess’ men finally woke up.
NRL recruit Zane Musgrove got his first try in Wolves colours before George Williams’ long ball saw Matty Ashton cleverly flick back inside for Toby King to cross. Josh Thewlis converted both to cut the deficit to 18-12 but Catalans scored first in the second period when Johnstone brilliantly kept Abdull’s kick in play for Rouge to cross. Johnstone added a second in the 50th minute but the hosts fired back again with James Harrison barging over.
And when Williams put on a huge sidestep to slice through, Thewlis’ conversion left them just four points behind.
But Abdull sealed victory with 95 seconds remaining after Johnstone again got a crucial hand to one of his towering kicks.
Burgess said: “If you give 18 points away against any team it’s too much to do.”