Wigan Warriors were crowned Champions of the World after they defeated Penrith Panthers 16-12 at the DW Stadium in a terrific World Club Challenge.
The Super League Champions defeated the NRL premiers thanks to a controversially awarded Jake Wardle try.
The Warriors were helped along by an amazing tackle by Jai Field to deny a try as well as a disallowed try in the last play of the game.
The Cherry and Whites also had a terrific try disallowed for Bevan French for offside in a game that many in the UK felt underlined the quality of the two teams.
But what did those down under make of it? Many NRL fans have raged over the controversially awarded Jake Wardle try with the former Warrington Wolves and Huddersfield Giants centre seemingly held short of the line.
But was that the complete consensus?
Penrith Panthers would defeat Wigan Warriors 49 times out of 50
Whilst the likes of Phil Gould and others slammed the decision to award Jake Wardle’s try, Zero Tackle offered a different approach.
They suggested the World Club Challenge isn’t as important as it could be: “The World Club Challenge continues to be important, for about an hour or so either side of the actual game. Until it’s played at the end of the season with two fully sit sides, it will continue to be important for one day a year. This coming from a Wigan fan.”
They also said Penrith had time to get over the controversial calls: “I did find it a bit rich that Penrith fans made such a massive deal out of a contentious call or two in Sunday morning’s game. I’d be more worried about having half an hour to overcome being on the wrong end of a 50/50 decision than the decision itself. See you in the comments!”
That being said, they also said Penrith would defeat Wigan 49 times out of 50: “For the record, Penrith’s lack of World Club Challenge victories does absolutely nothing to hurt their status as the best team of the modern era. You play that game 50 times from round four onward and Penrith win 49. Plus, you know, three straight NRL titles.”
