- Wigan upset Penrith Panthers in WCC with a controversial try
- Footy fans on social media exploded at the officials
- Wigan secured a record-equalling fifth title in a 16-12 win
Penrith have been denied a first World Club Challenge title, with the powerful NRL side defeated by Super League champions Wigan in England.
A controversial second-half try for Warriors center Jake Wardle and a rough defensive display saw the hosts clinch a record-equalling fifth title in a 16-12 win, while once again preventing the Panthers from completing their trophy cabinet .
The Super League champions win five world titles together with the Sydney Roosters.
It was the second year in a row that Penrith failed to add the world title to their NRL premiership after losing a 13-12 heartbreaker at home to St Helens in 2023.
The Panthers will be asking plenty of questions about Wardle’s match-winning try at the sold-out DW Stadium, which was awarded despite the England international appearing to ground the ball well short of the line.
The Penrith Panthers fell to Wigan in the World Club Challenge
Wigan center Jake Wardle was awarded a controversial try in the 53rd minute
A video review failed to overturn the on-field decision of a try, with replays of the apparent grounding overshadowed by the bodies of Penrith duo Brian To’o and Dylan Edwards as they made desperate tackles.
To make matters worse for Penrith, center Taylan May landed for what would have been a dramatic equalizer with an effort on the final play of the match – but insufficient evidence meant the on-field decision not to attempt stood.
Footy fans watching at home complained about the referee on social media.
“I’m NEVER going to complain about NRL references again,” one fan wrote.
“Panthers robbed by terrible ref/video reference,” another replied.
“Panthers robbed tonight, last Wigan try was never a try, typical English referees getting the decisions wrong again,” said a third.
It was far from the Panthers’ best performance as they committed six errors in the 25 minutes after falling behind as their attack struggled to click.
The NRL champions took time to find their rhythm and struggled early on to find the right option in the final tackles, held in four sets without a kick in the opening 20 minutes, as they failed to get their to capitalize on territorial domination.
It was the second year in a row that Penrith failed to add the world title to their NRL premiership
Wigan secured a record-equalling fifth title with the thrilling 16-12 win
Instead it was former Parramatta talent and Wigan five-eighth Bevan French who was the killer with some delightful passes.
He created the first points of the match with a double cut ball for winger Abbas Miski, while another pass helped former Gold Coast striker Kruise Leeming cross to give the hosts a 10-6 lead.
Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary got his side on the board and scored after his own kick failed to be cleared by Miski, while number 1 Dylan Edwards put them ahead at half-time with a quick run from close range that opened a gap for the Wigan. defense.
Along with his final effort, May had the best chance to steal the win late on with a blistering line break, only for a brilliant cover tackle from Wigan number 1 Jai Field to put him into touch.
Penrith finished without winger Sunia Turuva, who landed awkwardly on his knee after jumping in an attempt to save a kick from a fatal kick.