Leigh Leopards claimed the first points of the 2025 Super League season in the most enthralling and dramatic way possible. With the game remarkably finishing 0-0 after 80 minutes, Gareth O’Brien stepped up to slot a drop goal in golden point extra time and secure the 1-0 win at the Brick Community Stadium.
It was a match of few attacking highlights but it intrigued all the same as the two sides went toe to toe for under the lights, with supporters hardly able to take their eyes off the intensity and physicality on show in round one.
Ultimately, we’re still waiting for the first try of the new season but it’s fair to say supporters were not left short changed by an opener that saw legendary boxing announcer Michael Buffer make an appearance in front a record crowd of 21,958.
Here’s just a few of the talking points to emerge from the clash.
Defences on top
Both sides were superb defensively on the night as they refused to budge in the face of their opponents’ attacking efforts. Wigan needed to dig deep at times and the effort of Zach Eckersley in the corner to deny Tesi Niu a certain try on debut was a particular highlight.
But, it was the defensive structure and determination of Leigh Leopards that neutrals were left admiring most. The visitors have undergone a lot of change over the off-season, with key men leaving and 10 new signings arriving, Five of those additions featured against Wigan and they knitted together with their new teammates to form an unbreakable line.
Leigh’s scramble was outstanding at times to deny the likes of Jake Wardle and Tyler Dupree, while their nous and line speed restricted Wigan’s danger men such as Bevan French and Jai Field to fleeting moments in the game. Adrian Lam’s side have clearly been working on their defensive shape and resilience over pre-season and that paid dividends on Thursday night.
Wigan positives
Last season’s quadruple winners were beaten but they still turned in a performance they can be pleased with on home soil. Sure, they would have liked to have created more try scoring opportunities and their discipline, with yellow cards being handed to Liam Farrell and Adam Keighran, could have been better.
However, defensively they were just as resolute and determined as their opponents on the night and while they weren’t tested quite as much, they handled everything Leigh threw at them over the 80. On another day and with a few tweaks in their decision making they know they would have got over the line and more than likely beaten Leigh.
There isn’t too much for Wigan to work on then going into round two, but they’ll be looking to respond and sweep Hull FC aside with relative ease.
The record opening day attendance shows just how much supporters are now invested in this Warriors side, too, and that can only be good for Super League moving forward.
Sign Ipape up
Going into the game, Edwin Ipape was rated as a doubt following the surgery he had on a shoulder injury in the off-season. He had missed Leigh Leopards’ friendly with Warrington Wolves and their Challenge Cup third round tie and Brad Dwyer was given the nod as the starting hooker at the Brick Community Stadium.
Ipape was fit enough to come off the bench, though, and he made an instant impact with his smart running around the ruck and his speed of thought. He then ironed out Jai Field with a huge tackle to assert his authority on the game and that helped Leigh to end the first half on the front foot.
The hooker was arguably Leigh’s brightest player last season and the 26-year-old’s influence was there for all to see against the champions. What’s notable then is that Ipape is off contract this year and with NRL clubs said to be keen on his signature, Leigh must do all they can to keep hold of their star man.
UNBELIEVABLE, WHAT A MOMENT! 🤯
Gareth O’brien kicks it in to give Leigh Leopards the WIN IN GOLDEN POINT! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/cyLEHfAXcz
— Sky Sports Rugby League (@SkySportsRL) February 13, 2025
