Huddersfield’s terrible start to the season coincided with a huge raft of injuries, but notwithstanding that, it cost Robinson his job.
However, for this fixture the Giants were able to call upon crucial reinforcements in the shape of captain Clune and full-back Evalds for their first games of 2026.
It reflected in a strong first half as Gagai’s burst score saw them take the lead. And they would have had two other scores but for brilliant try-saving tackles from young Warriors full-back Noah Hodkinson.
But there was a fairer reflection of their dominance after Zenon was adjudged to have scored after a successful captain’s challenge.
And when Adam Keighran dropped the ball, Evalds reacted fastest to pick up and dart through a gap to touch down.
Wigan had been second best throughout the opening half, but a flying winger’s finish from Eckersley got them on the board.
Some fine defending from the visitors close to their line stopped the Warriors from further reducing the gap, only for the Giants to extend their advantage when Tom Burgess’ big miss-pass set ex-Wigan winger Douglas free for a run to the line on his first Huddersfield game, having joined on loan from St Helens.
Wrench, in his first match since coming out of retirement, went over to extend the lead to 20 points, which was briefly reduced by Farrimond’s try.
But Huddersfield’s sixth and final score was one of the tries of the season so far as brilliant offloads and handling in midfield resulted in Clune running through unopposed.
For Wigan, the absence of injured star backs Bevan French and Jai Field hit hard as they were nowhere near their usual selves, with Farrell’s 80th-minute effort little more than a consolation.
