Leigh Leopards took on Wigan Warriors in the Super League opener and the player ratings for Adrian Lam’s side are now in.
Adrian Lam’s side were yet to beat Wigan since returning to Super League but they entered the Brick Community Stadium hopeful of changing that and starting their new campaign with a bang.
Leigh coach Adrian Lam had confirmed pre-game that injury would rule Darnell McIntosh out with all of Edwin Ipape, Josh Charnley and Robbie Mulhern dubbed “50/50” chances, however, all three featured for the Leopards.
Star man Ipape was named on the bench with Brad Dwyer securing the start but both Charnley and Mulhern earned starts with Aaron Pene a surprise omission.
Leigh beat Wigan 1-0 after golden point in Super League first
The Leopards end 42 years of hurt 👏#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/86nDv9QWmf
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) February 13, 2025
We wanted to start Super League with a bang but not a single point was scored in the 80 minutes, the first time that has ever happened in Super League. As such, we went to golden point where it was Gareth O’Brien who scored the drop goal to secure a famous 1-0 win.
Leigh’s defence was tested early but managed to hold out with Jake Wardle dropping the ball over the line after just five minutes. Wigan were the dominant side early on but the impact of Edwin Ipape seemed to lift the Leopards who started to gain territory after the 20 minute mark.
The game remained scoreless and in ways was familiar to the 2024 Grand Final, begging to be broken open by a moment of brilliance and it almost came from Bevan French.
His smart run and offload led to Kruise Leeming playing in Tyler Dupree but Leigh’s brilliant defence scrambled to keep the champions out with both teams heading in scoreless at the break.
Wigan wasted their captain’s challenge in the first minute of the second half in a very costly decision, especially considering that captain Liam Farrell was later sin-binned dubiously after potentially being obstructed – both decisions that the captain’s challenge could have queried.
Minutes after Wigan looked to go in front through a magic Jai Field moment but Wigan were adjudged to have gained possession through a ball steal.
Incredibly, the score remained 0-0 till the 80th minute – the first time it had ever happened in Super League meaning opening night went to golden point. From there we had a delay due to clock issues but once we restarted, Leigh Leopards secured the win via a Gareth O’Brien drop goal.
Leigh Leopards player ratings
UNBELIEVABLE, WHAT A MOMENT! 🤯
Gary O’brien kicks it in to give Leigh Leopards the WIN IN GOLDEN POINT! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/1T5q2O2hie
— Sky Sports Rugby League (@SkySportsRL) February 13, 2025
David Armstrong – 7
Had a worrying moment early doors when he failed to deal with a Kruise Leeming kick. Showed his brilliant speed minutes later to round a defender but his pass let him down. His impressive run gained the vital yards to ensure that Gareth O’Brien had the territory to kick the game winner.
Keanan Brand – 7
Dropped a ball under pressure but more importantly didn’t bite on Jai Field’s dummy in the second-half meaning he saved a near-certain try.
Tesi Niu – 7
Runs like a prop and has the footwork of a back making him a force to be reckoned with. Was then forced to the wing in the second half
Umyla Hanley – 7
Went relatively unnoticed going forward but impressed defensively as the majority of the Leopards did. Won the Betfred Man of the Match.
Josh Charnley – 5
Strong under the high ball, which Wigan peppered Leigh with, but had nothing in the opposition half before being hauled off at halftime due to injury.
Gareth O’Brien – 7
Took a huge hit off Junior Nsemba but his defensive efforts continued to impress. Iced his drop goal in golden point to win it for the Leopards.
Lachlan Lam – 7
His kicking game helped Leigh earn precious yards when they were pinned in early on. Just like his counterpart Liam Farrell, he wasted his captain’s challenge. He snatched Harry Smith’s kick out of the air in the last minute to save a certain try in a magnificent piece of athleticism.
Owen Trout – 7
Showed why he was in such high demand at the end of 2023 with strong running but even tougher tackling.
Brad Dwyer – 6
Was relatively safe at nine but lost the ball in the tackle at a crucial point of the game when Leigh were on the march forward.
Robbie Mulhern – 8
Showed why he is among England’s best, smart offloads, strong runs and plenty of tough tackles. Among the Leopards’ best players on a night where most impressed.
Frankie Halton – 7
Went about his work defensively but made a major error after taking a big hit. His loose play the ball was pounced on by Liam Farrell and cost Leigh good ball position.
Ethan O’Neill – 8
Looks like he could quickly become a fan favourite with his incredible defensive work rate and bleach-blonde hair.
Isaac Liu – 7
John Asiata’s boots are big ones to fill but Liu brings buckets of experience and he showed that. Tough and physical Super League debut for the veteran.
Interchanges
Edwin Ipape – 8
Brilliant run from dummy-half but couldn’t execute the offload otherwise he’d have created the opener before then putting a huge hit on Jai Field to showcase his incredible defensive abilities that make him one of the best nines in the comp.
Alex Tuitavake – 6
The least impressive of Leigh’s NRL signings but by no means did he struggle.
Jack Hughes – 6
Moved into the centres when Josh Charnley left the field injured. Wasn’t switched on to jump on Frankie Halton’s loose play the ball.
Matt Davis – 6
Was brought on at half-time and ended up playing at hooker for a period showing his versatility.
