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 one-time England stand-off Abdull who continues to impress on a season-long 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. We lost Theo [Fages] today. He had a really tight calf and has a history of it. He wanted to push through but we decided in the hotel not to risk him.
“Ugo came in from our reserves and he held his own and did a good job. We didn’t look out of sync. But Jordan Abdull really, really stepped up for us there today. He put on a bit of a masterclass for us with his kicking and his game sense. We executed a plan early on in attack and Jordan was a big part of that.”
Tom Johnstone faced “manic” time settling at Catalans Dragons after horrid 2022
Sam Burgess’ side hadn’t lost since an opening-day defeat in Perpignan. But with two-try England winger Tom Johnstone also in inspired form, it was the French side who triumphed again in a thrilling contest. Stunned Warrington barely touched the ball as McNamara’s side ran riot during that blistering opening.
Catalans' Tom Johnstone scores with Jordan Abdull in support (Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com)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 Warrington full-back Matt Dufty allowing Johnstone to race in from 20m.
Things went from bad to worse for Wolves as prop Paul Vaughan was yellow card for a dangerous tackle on Cesar Rouge. That saw captain Ben Garcia burrow over for their third try before Burgess’ men finally woke up. NRL recruit Zane Musgrove stretched over for his first try in Warrington 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 his 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 in the 56th minute, Thewlis’ conversion left them just four points behind. Burgess’ side threw plenty at Catalans but desperate defence from the visitors saw them hold firm. And Abdull sealed victory with 95 seconds remaining after Johnstone again got a crucial hand to one of his towering kicks.
Warrington lost Joe Philbin and Musgrove to failed HIAs meaning 18th man Matty Nicholson came in. But Burgess said: “It’s disappointing. We missed the jump early and there was some great efforts to get back in. But if you give 18 points away against any team it’s too much to do.”
“It was a big game, a home crowd and Catalans got us in the first round so I didn’t expect it [slow start]. Defensively we just missed our assignment tonight.”
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