TOP OF WORLD
Wigan equal record with fifth global crown after dubious Wardle try secures dramatic victory
Wigan Warriors Penrith Panthers 16 12
AFTER all the red card nonsense 24 hours earlier, it was wonderful Wigan’s cherry red that ruled the world.
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 classic in front of a rocking sold-out
DW Stadium – with desperate Wigan producing a remarkable try-saving tackle on Taylan May (right) with the final play.
There were huge doubts over Jake Wardle’s 57th-minute match-winning try as Wigan won the title for a record-equalling fifth time.
Jai Field dabbed a kick in and England centre Wardle showed great strength to gather on the run and get close. He looked short of the goalline. But referee
Liam Moore awarded a try and VAR referee Chris
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.
The outstanding Wigan stand-off Bevan French saw his 71st-minute effort ruled out for offside. But it didn’t matter as his side defied the odds to keep the World Club Challenge in English hands.
Panthers have now lost all four of their bids for this title.
They went in at the break 12-10 ahead after impressive full-back Dylan Edwards sneaked over with just 65 seconds remaining.
Steely Wigan had done a fine job muscling up against the powerful visiting pack. And they looked like they’d wrapped them up on the last tackle for a fifth time.
But Aussie loose forward Isaah Yeo just managed to smuggle out a late offload and Edwards zipped through the space. Kangaroos golden boy Nathan Cleary slotted the second of his two goals and you sensed his side would grow. The way they ripped in from the kick-off, it hardly looked like this was their first game since last October’s epic Grand Final win. Penrith were primed and ready. Yet Wigan scored first, French’s lovely cut-out pass sending over Penrith-born Abbas Miski on nine minutes.
Brilliant cover defence denied Brian To’o a try in response but the visitors did cross after Miski spilled Cleary’s high kick, Mitch Kenny mopped up and Cleary finished off.
He also converted 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, Isa supported and Kruise Leeming finished off, Smith improving.
WIGAN: Tries: Miski, Leeming, Wardle. Cons: Smith (2)
PENRITH: Tries: Cleary, Edwards. Cons: Cleary (2)
ATT: 23,500