Finding A Way

Yesterday was a good day for lovers of sport. You had a wide selection of viewing to choose from with several major events taking place on the same day. In Rugby League, we had the 1895 Cup Final followed by the Challenge Cup Final. I also took in the Champions League Final between Liverpool and Real Madrid, that evening.

The latter two matches had quite an amount in common. The side that arguably dominated large periods of the match came out on the wrong side of the scoreboard. But these were finals. That is largely irrelevant. It doesn't matter if you play well. All that matters is which side lifts the trophy above their heads when full time is blown.

Contrasts

Wigan's performance against St Helens in the semi final was one of their finest for several seasons. In the first half, they blew St Helens off the park and but for missed conversion attempts may have held a lead greater than the 14 point advantage by half time.

Yesterday, it was a different story. The first half saw poor discipline, errors coming out of yardage and, at times, poor kick execution. Huddersfield took advantage to lead by 10 points to 6 at half time. The sense was that Huddersfield should have taken more of an advantage of a lacklustre Wigan. 

That was heightened by the fact that star prop Chris Hill left the field after 20 minutes and Huddersfield were down by one substitute (and importantly one prop forward) after only one quarter of the game. Having a utility back on the bench has served Ian Watson well so far, but he may have wished that the final spot went to Michael Lawrence rather than Ash Golding at that point. East to say with hindsight.

Wigan have the best attack in Super League so far this season and the worst defence in the top 5 clubs. Yet, the roles were reversed here. It was Wigan's impressive goal line defence, restricting Huddersfield to just a four point lead that would have given cause for optimism at half time.

Similarities

Just like Real Madrid in the Champions League Final, Wigan absorbed pressure and struck. That's something that you can do when you have the best attack in the competition. Everyone knows that Jai Field linking with Bevan French is a huge danger when you play Wigan. Stopping it is another matter.

Wigan retook the lead early in the second half with a move based on pace by French, although his ability to execute an inside ball to Field to finish should not be overlooked either.

Indiscipline creeped in again, allowing Huddersfield to retake the lead. Yet Wigan had the final say. With Huddersfield on the brink of a first Challenge Cup win since 1953, their hearts were broken.

In amongst the drama of those final few minutes, the skill required to execute that winning try can be overlooked. Tommy Leuluai threw a 20 metre plus left to right pass with perfect precision to Harry Smith. He then executed a perfectly weighted grubber kick to Liam Marshall. He timed his run to perfection and the rest is history.

I have always had doubts about Harry Smith as a long term half back option for Wigan. In recent weeks, he has shown why those who know him best have such faith in him. He has pulled off two huge performances in the semi final and final of the Challenge Cup.

Here we go again...

It may not have been a vintage performance, but Wigan did what they needed to do to win the match. Towards the end of last season, Wigan fans witnessed a number of turgid performances at home. In three matches against St Helens and Leeds (twice), they managed to score just two points.

There was a gaping disconnect between fans and club and the expectation was that years of rebuilding would needed before Wigan could challenge again. Funny how things can change in a just a few months, isn't it? During that end to the 2021 season, few Wigan fans would have foreseen a major trophy coming back to the DW Stadium in 2022.

A lot of credit should go to the Wigan coaching staff. Matt Peet has adjusted well to the Head Coach role (well, the start could hardly have been better!) and by all accounts, Lee Briers is making an impact too. A lot can change in a short space of time in sport. Wigan have found a way to win major trophies once again.