19 Sep 2011

Maguire faces hard road again to Super title

12:36 pm on 19 September 2011

St Helens has beaten Wigan 26-18 to ensure the defending Super League champions must again do it the hard way if they're to win back-to-back English rugby league grand finals.

South Sydney coach-to-be Michael Maguire is refusing to panic despite his Wigan side crashing a year after 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 to their arch rivals at the DW Stadium, they will have to do it again this year.

Two tries from Australia international Joel Monaghan helped Warrington Wolves into the play-off semi-finals with a comprehensive 47-0 win over Huddersfield on Saturday.

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 Monday. Kiwi duo Brent Webb and Weller Hauraki both scored in an impressive 42-10 win.

On Sunday, 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.