Last night, Leeds booked their place in next week’s Super League semi-finals with a gutsy 8-0 win away at Wigan. Remarkably, the Rhinos have nilled the Cherry and Whites twice in a matter of weeks despite the fact Wigan had never been left scoreless at the DW Stadium before this season. Furthermore, their triumph was all the more impressive given their difficult season with injuries. To make the final four despite all that is special indeed.
They won’t want the journey to end here though and fans have of coursed weighed in on how far they could go in the play-offs as well as their performance last night.
So, with that in mind, let’s see how social media reacted to yesterday’s rugby.
Of course, one major talking point was Leeds’ defence. They again kept Wigan scoreless as they did a few weeks ago leading to this hilarious comparison.
Leeds have now held Wigan scoreless at home for the same length of time as it takes to watch the entirety of Goodfellas. #slwiglee #rugbyleague pic.twitter.com/8wGNfiblgT
— Andrew Foster (@andrewfoster101) September 23, 2021
Others felt that the achievement wasn’t given the credit it deserves.
Two games at Wigan over recent weeks.
Twice we have beaten them + not only have we beaten them – we have nilled them.
It can't be overlooked just how impressive that is.
— The Lot Pod (@Lot_17a) September 23, 2021
One fan rubbed salt into the Wigan wounds with this hilarious comment.
Who won your ‘Guess The First Try Scorer’ competition this week Wigan? https://t.co/EYv9zeZSk0
— Omar Alrawi (@O_Alrawi02) September 23, 2021
Of course the victory and the prospect of a semi-final next week has fans questioning whether Leeds could go all the way to Old Trafford. When posed the question, one Leeds fan got very excited.
https://twitter.com/RhinosRob/status/1441152690524803074?s=20
Meanwhile, fans outside Headingley are starting to worry history could be about to repeat itself. Leeds are the only team to win the Grand Final from fifth after all.
This where Leeds win it from 5th again 😭 pic.twitter.com/8OHrQJ3Aee
— Nathan Tomlinson (@BoringNath14) September 23, 2021
Leeds’ grit was certainly that of a side capable of winning at the Theatre of Dreams last night. Rhinos fans were happy to see that they now have that in their locker.
Exactly, we’ve needed grit for ages https://t.co/MVr6PmzBMe
— LoinersView (@loinersview) September 23, 2021
Plenty of players of course received praise following the win. The likes of Cameron Smith, Rob Lui and Harry Newman were singled out by one fan.
Tough game that. Lui and Newman were outstanding.
Give Smith the 13 shirt, we are by far a better side with him on the field.
— Steven Hodgson 💙💛 (@86Hodgson) September 23, 2021
Newman especially caught the eye with a near flawless showing.
But it was also a night when everyone in the Blue and Amber stood up including some of Leeds’ more underrated players like Luke Briscoe.
Well I’ve got to mention it because it wouldn’t be right if I didn’t after slagging the lad all season… LUKE BRISCOE was actually solid for us tnyt 😂👏🏽 well done lad!! Wigan in the bin AGAIN!! 💪🏽
— Omar Alrawi (@O_Alrawi02) September 23, 2021
You're all missing what Luke Briscoe did for 80 minutes tbh
His best game for us by far 👌🏻👌🏻— just like a guy (@OriginalHobson) September 23, 2021
Luke Briscoe walking into Fev's preseason training with a Grand Final ring and the Harry Sunderland Trophy. https://t.co/e4DZSe6zp8 pic.twitter.com/SnyKO3bV9u
— Bullock Shed (@BullockShed) September 23, 2021
Luke briscoe is very underrated
— James Drury (@JamesDr23539957) September 23, 2021
Of course, for Wigan it was the end of the Adrian Lam era. Some were very pleased to see him leave.
Adrian lam has to be the most clueless coach we’ve ever had https://t.co/uS6jaq4RmK
— Callum Benn (@callumbenn97) September 23, 2021
One St Helens fan wasn’t quite as pleased to see the end of Lam’s time with the Warriors, however.
Be sad to see Adrian Lam leave Wigan 🏉😉
— Ged Bailey (@gedbailey66) September 23, 2021
Meanwhile, some were of the opinion that Lam was happy to be leaving the Warriors after an ill-fated stint as Head Coach.
Does anyone look more keen to get on a plane out of the UK than Adrian Lam? #slwiglee
— Andrew Makin (@andrewmakin) September 23, 2021
Adrian Lam knowing he can now leave Wigan #SLWIGLEE pic.twitter.com/P5LO67Abtf
— OOOL 🏉 (@OOOL1908) September 23, 2021
Others placed the blame higher up in the club and believed the Warriors were too keen to move on from Shaun Wane in the first place.
This demise has been brought on by Ian Lenegan and his vanity project in trying to get Shaun Edwards.
Loads wanted Waney gone, I didn’t.
Thank god Adrian Lam brought attacking rugby.— Matt (@mattwill1982) September 23, 2021
Whilst some were pleased with Lam’s departure, all Wigan fans were sorry to see Jackson Hastings play his final game for the Warriors.
What a classy guy Jackson Hastings is, I’d hate to think where we’d have been without him. I hope he kills it in the NRL but I’d love to see him back at Wigan one day. https://t.co/5E6NF6vgr6
— Michael Lavelle (@mikelavelle93) September 23, 2021
I second that! Jackson Hastings is as Wigan as meat & potato pie. Thanks Jacko.
— Lord of the Pies (@jamesclossick) September 23, 2021
