Wigan Warriors got their Super League season up and running with a 34-16 victory over Leeds Rhinos on Friday.

Both sides lost their opening matches of the campaign, the defending champions Wigan going down at fierce rivals St Helens while the Rhinos were soundly beaten 26-6 at Warrington Wolves.

And it was Wigan who got off the mark at the DW Stadium, scoring six tries after the visitors had begun brightly to warm up for next weekend's World Club Challenge against NRL champions Sydney Roosters with a win.

The Warriors' Zak Hardaker - back this season after a drugs ban - converted all but one of those scores, making his home debut for his new club against the team with which he won three Grand Finals.

Leeds twice went ahead inside the opening quarter of an hour as Ash Handley and Brett Ferres went over either side of Dan Sarginson's reply on the end of George Williams' cross-field kick.

 @George7Williams' kick finished off by @Sargmiester for our first try of the game! pic.twitter.com/qmSkF01E2N

— Wigan Warriors  (@WiganWarriorsRL) February 8, 2019

From 12-6 behind, Wigan ran in 16 unanswered points before half-time thanks to efforts from Ben Flower, Joe Greenwood and Joe Bullock - the latter bouncing off three attempted tackles en route to the line.

There were no further scores until the final 15 minutes as Williams and Liam Farrell crossed for the hosts either side of Kallum Watkins' dart to the right corner, which had threatened a late Leeds comeback.