Wigan Warriors’ hopes of reaching the Challenge Cup Final in 2023 were ended at Leeds Rhinos’ Headingley Stadium, the same place they begun, as they lost to Hull KR in a great Challenge Cup semi-final.
The match was decided in golden point by a Brad Schneider drop goal which was struck brilliantly from 30 metres out.
A special game but it may be remembered for Joe Shorrocks’ red card just after halftime which undoubtedly changed the complexion of the second half.
Speaking after the game, Matt Peet had his say on the matter: “I don’t think I’m going to make any comment on it to be honest. It is a big call in a big game.
“I don’t know how if the player is that dazed, I don’t know how he stays on after a head injury assessment.
“The referee makes the call, it is what it is.”
When asked about Joe Shorrocks’ reaction to the decision, Peet suggested that the crowd played a part: “He’s upset and confused, a partisan crowd, a referee from Wigan who feels under the spotlight.
“We just have to be better and deal with it. It was a massive call and I wonder if that was a sin bin would everyone say it should have been a red.
“It was a big call to make, that and Mikey Lewis didn’t get checked out even though he was staggering all over the place.
“If that was our player we would have brought him off.”
Now for Wigan the focus firmly shifts to making the play-offs and finishing as high as they can to ensure a crack at Super League glory.
Meanwhile, Hull KR can now look ahead to a Challenge Cup Final against Leigh Leopards which will take place at Wembley on August 12th so is just three weeks away for two teams who have waited decades to lift the trophy.
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