World beaters
WIG WHAM AUSSIE CHAMPIONS
AFTER all the red card nonsense 24 hours earlier, it was wonderful Wigan’s cherry red that ruled the world last night.
The World Club Challenge threatened to be overshadowed by Friday’s farcical sending-off of Hull’s Nu Brown at Warrington.
Frustrated players and fans alike were in uproar that someone could be dismissed for an accidental head clash with such ‘minimal’ contact.
However, the RFL’s strict new rulings weren’t in use last night.
Super League champions Wigan and three-peat NRL premiers Penrith battled it out for global glory. And between them they delivered a true classic in front of a rocking sold-out DW Stadium – with Wigan producing a remarkable try-saving tackle on Taylan May with the final play.
Video referee Chris Kendall looked at it for what felt like an eternity, and there had already been plenty of controversy.
There were huge doubts over Jake Wardle’s 57th-minute match-winning try. He looked short of the goalline but referee Liam Moore awarded a try and fellow Englishman Kendall confirmed it. Harry Smith slotted the second of his two goals for a 16-12 lead and Matt Peet’s Super League champions dug deep for a famous victory.
Kangaroos golden boy Nathan Cleary, rated the world’s greatest player, should have rescued them.
But the scrum-half spilled a pass with the line begging on the hour mark.
Then Aussie full-back Jai Field produced a brilliant try-saving tackle after May raced through.
Ten of the Penrith starting 13 defeated by St Helens 12 months ago came here looking for redemption.
But they left empty-handed and the Panthers have now lost all four of their bids for this title. They went in 12-10 ahead at the break after Dylan Edwards sneaked over with just 65 seconds remaining of the first half.
And the way they ripped in from kick-off, it hardly looked like this was their first game since last October’s epic Grand Final win.
Yet Wigan scored first, Bevan French’s cut-out pass sending over Abbas Miski on nine minutes.
The visitors crossed after Miski spilled Cleary’s high kick, but reigning Man of Steel French came to the fore again in the 32nd minute.
Another of his cut-out passes saw Adam Keighran put Miski clear. Willie Isa supported and Kruise Leeming finished off.