Wigan end Wane era with famous victory
SHAUN WA NE will take a lifetime of memories from his 30 years with Wigan.
His last may be one of his best. The 52-year-old will clear his desk this week with a heavy heart. He may also do so with a smile on his face after his men beat perennial bridesmaids Warrington Wolves to win a Grand Final high on intensity but low on thrills.
Two tries from wing Dom Manfredi, who shrugged off a nasty cut sustained in a brilliant tackle, and a ferocious display of defence were enough to leave Wane with the perfect ending.
For Warrington, a 63-year wait for a top- flight title continues. The last time the Wire won the big trophy the US entered into its conflict in Vietnam, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus and Ruth Ellis became the final woman to receive the death penalty in the UK.
Fourteen minutes of bruising big hits had elapsed before the deadlock was broken when wing Josh Charnley finished an overlap out wide on the right in front of a delighted Stretford End, which hosted the majority of the Warrington contingent.
It was the former Wigan man’s 16th score of the season following his return from an 18-month stint in union with Sale Sharks.
Charnley’s last act at this venue was to score the winning try for Wigan against Warrington. He could consider himself forgiven.
Then came a moment more suited to the football usually hosted here when Wigan full-back Sam Tomkins cynically tripped Wire centre Bryson Goodwin as he threatened to make a break. Tomkins was fortunate to receive a caution rather than a card.
A needless late hit from forward Bodene Thompson on scrum-half Tommy Leuluai set Wigan up with the chance to respond and they did so when wing Dom Manfredi crashed over in the corner after nifty footwork from centre Oliver Gild art took a number of defenders out of the equation.
The score would have been sweet for Manfredi who spent a combined two years out of the game through cruel injuries.
Tomkins’s attempted conversion was as ugly as his earlier trip and the score was locked at 4-4. On 31 minutes Wigan were in front when stand off George Williams spotted a gap, dinked a pinpoint grubber kick to the corner and sprinting wing Tom Davies won the foot race.
Tomkins was again unable to add the extras.
The departing star, presumably a man who likes to live life on the edge, dodged another card when he caught the head of Wire hooker Daryl Clark with his knee and his team had a four-point lead at the hooter for half-time.
The action, however, was not over. As the players headed off the field, with what appeared to be a plastic bottle hurled at Wigan’s group from the stand, Goodwin shoved Morgan Escare — something which angered his fellow-Frenchman Romain Navarrete, who sprinted across to defend his compatriot.
The ensuing melee had the red plastic wall soft he tunnel bouncing. Unfortunately, the view was blocked — but you would imagine it was a little feistier in there than Pizzagate.
In the second half Charnley was the latest to benefit from laissez- faire referee Rob Hicks when he appeared to boot Escare in the face but remained on the field.
With t he defences on t op, Warrington’s impressive full-back Stefan Ratchford twice found a way through but was stopped in his tracks.
Bone-crunching collisions drew gasps from a crowd of 64,892 as both sides fought for superiority.
With points at a premium, Escare scuffed an attempted drop goal wide before Wire scrum-half Tyrone Roberts failed to grasp a Ben Murdoch-Masila pass with the line in sight.
Tomkins missed a penalty before, with three minutes to go, it was game over. With Wire out on their feet Wigan scented blood and got it when Tomkins’ long pass found Manfredi — with head bandaged from the earlier injury — and he dived over.
Wane was brought up 250 yards from the DW Stadium, served as a player and coach and has pres i ded o ver t he c l ub’s most successful era since the 1990s.