Hat-trick hero Tom Johnstone was given a ringing endorsement for an England recall as classy Catalans surged to the top of Super League.
The prolific winger was too hot to handle for woeful Wigan as Steve McNamara’s side ripped them to shreds at Magic Weekend. He has endured some horrendous luck in his career including two ACLs and a long spell when he hardly played a game due to worrying concussions. But each time the popular 27-year-old has bounced back and he’s enjoyed a new lease of life since leaving Wakefield for the south of France last autumn.
He has now scored 17 tries in 15 games for rampant Les Dracs - this was his third treble - who were 46-8 ahead even before the hour mark at St James’ Park. Johnstone scored a hat-trick on his England debut against France in 2018 but hasn’t represented his country since. If he can stay fit, that will surely be corrected against Tonga later this year.
McNamara, who also saw Matt Whitley (2), Arthur Morgue, Arthur Romano and Sam Tomkins score in an eight-try romp against second-placed Wigan, certainly thinks so. He said: “Tom’s highlights reel from today, finishing the tries he scored but his all-round game, was just superb. I’m really pleased for Tom.
"He’s had a couple of dreadful years with injuries. There was an opportunity for us to get him and he’s been great since day one. He’s a great kid who’s worked really hard. The team really appreciates him. And it was a great win.”
Former England captain Tomkins, who helped create some of Johnstone’s scores down the ruthless left edge, was equally impressed. He said: “Tom’s unbelievable. As a half-back playing on that side of the field, I don’t need to create too much. I just kick the ball around that area or pass and know there’s a good chance he’ll get it down. He only needs a couple of inches to do something special. Tommy Makinson’s been the best in the comp’ for some time but outside of that, Tom Johnstone’s the best. I’d say they’re the two (for England).”
Challenge Cup holders Wigan certainly had no answer as they continually got terrorised. They were thankful for Abbas Miski, Liam Marshall and Morgan Smithies tries in the last quarter to save from an even worse embarrassment. But there was little doubt Matt Peet’s side were utterly outplayed.
Tomkins, who retires at the end of the season, rolled back the years against the team where it all started for him. The decorated full-back, dogged by injury since the World Cup, has reverted to stand-off this term, where his dazzling career began with Wigan. Alongside another 34-year-old - Australian Mitchell Pearce - he set about picking apart his opponents with consummate ease.
Tomkins has barely played half of Catalans’ games this term but still manages to influence when he does. He probed and teased and there was little error-prone Wigan could do to stem the tide. They welcomed back star man Jai Field for the first time since he injured his hamstring in March. Peet fielded the Aussie full-back at stand-off but it was a gamble that backfired.
The Warriors have lost three of their last four Super League games and needed Golden Point extra-time to secure their sole victory in that run at Hull KR. They were 24-8 down at the break here, limited to Jake Wardle and Bevan French tries, while Harry Smith managed just one goal. Peet conceded: “We were particularly poor in lots of areas. We were beaten to the punch in every area. We let ourselves down. It’s a bad day for us. Catalans are an excellent side. They were clinical. I threw Jai back in the deep end today. I've got to take responsibility for that.”
The Betfred Super League salary cap has been frozen at £2.1m for the fifth year in a row, but with the addition of a third marquee player spot for homegrown talents.
