Wigan Warriors cemented their status as the best club in Super League after defeating Hull KR 9-2 in the Grand Final and the fans have had their say, particularly about Bevan French.
It marks the second year in a row that Matt Peet’s side have won the competition and despite it being their seventh Super League crown all-time, it is the first time they’ve managed to defend it.
Another reason it is such a historic victory is that it means they have won all four pieces of silverware in the same calendar year, becoming the first-ever side to do it in the summer era and the first since, you guessed it, Wigan Warriors back in 1994.
The 1994 team also beat Penrith Panthers and this journey to the record books started back in February when they defeated the NRL champions. Now eight months later, in similarly wet conditions, they’ve edged out Hull KR thanks to a moment of Bevan French magic.
Bevan French would become the first-ever man to win Man of the Match in the Challenge Cup Final and Grand Final in the same year, making yet more history as he scored the 99th try of his Wigan Warriors career.
It’s fair to say it’s been a successful Wigan Warriors career so far for the Australian but his dominance in Super League has left fans asking questions about his credentials as a truly ‘world-class’ player that he so often gets labelled.
Is Bevan French a ‘big fish in a small pond’?
Fans have taken to X, formerly Twitter, questioning why the Australian can be labelled ‘world-class’ when he has only ever taken centre stage in Super League.
Before his move to Super League, French played 47 games in the NRL with the majority coming on the wing. However, in England, particularly in the last two years, he has become a dominant half.
Below are a handful of the fan reactions taken from social media as users gave their verdict on the Rob Burrow Award winner for 2024.
Yorkshire Saint said: “Bevan French needs to grow up and go back to the NRL. Big fish in a small pond scared to venture out.”
Bevan French needs to grow up and go back to the NRL. Big fish in a small pond scared to venture out
— Yorkshire Saint (@YorkshireSaint1) October 12, 2024
Alan Thompson said: “I can’t wait for Bevan French to go back to the NRL. The man’s ridiculous.”
Martin Hammer Saint said: “Just finished watching the @SuperLeague Grand Final. Maybe Flano should bring Bevan French home. The @NRL_Dragons could do with some speed and he IS related to Nathan Blacklock. Maybe it’s time for Jai Field to come home as well! #RedV”
Brian Davies noted: “Not sure what it says, but interesting that Bevan French is a superstar in the very small world of English rugby league, but was just a minor, bit part player in the NRL. Has he got that much better, or is our threshold that much lower?”
It’s hard to say that French is a ‘big fish in a small pond’ and even harder to claim that he would not make it in the NRL now. The Australian has improved vastly since his move to England, taking huge strides in the past two seasons in his new-found position.
In fact, it was in that position that he would guide Wigan to success against Penrith Panthers, a team at the very elite of the NRL, so perhaps rather than aiming shots at the magic man, fans should just enjoy the magic whilst it lasts.
John R
October 12, 2024 at 11:16 pm
Rovers supporter – JUST got back in.
All sounds like sour grapes to me. I can’t imagine any SL side who wouldn’t have him in the team.
Anonymous
October 12, 2024 at 11:18 pm
Aussie big mouths again, grow up you Southern softees, maybe perhaps Wigan made him a better player in our small League. Panthers not that good against English teams!
Nathanael Sadgrove
October 12, 2024 at 11:52 pm
The fact that Wigan (and Saints last year) beat the best team in the NRL proves that French is not “a big fish in a small pond”. The top four of the Super League can easily compete with the NRL as proven. Complaints from the UK is simply bitterness and from the NRL is just denial. How French has not made the Australia squad for this year’s Pacific Championships is ridiculous. Apparently he’s the only player EVER to win a quadruple and MotM in both major finals. This just proves Australia’s bias for NRL players.
Anonymous
October 13, 2024 at 1:19 pm
It always amazes me what stupid comments people make!
Not good enough for the NRL we sent there best team home with there tails between there legs.
I’d put the current wigan team against any Australian side week in week out.
Tys
October 13, 2024 at 2:01 am
Sour grapes it sounds like to me. Up the cherry and whites.NRL gad their pants down last 2 years. BEVAN is class.
ian halliwell
October 13, 2024 at 6:34 am
Who cares what a bunch of convicts think, he’s absolute quality a pleasure to watch and we’re lucky to have him.
Anonymous
October 13, 2024 at 6:43 am
Bevan French is one heck of a freak when it comes to RL. He was the difference in Wigan retaining the GF. Would he be able to repeat the same success in the NRL is another question is a pointless question given he’s tied to Wigan on a new contract.
Roy lydon
October 13, 2024 at 9:05 am
Jealousy at its best. How many world class players only played in the English version. The list is endless
Belarusian Warrior
October 13, 2024 at 10:58 am
First Saints now the mighty Wigan Warriors. When are these Aussie “big mouths” gonna shut up. Super League has 4 clubs who can mix it with anybody. I agree that the NRL has more intensity as a whole but Wigan Warriors could play in the NRL and still come out on top. Harry Smith kicked the life out of KR, our pack no-one can handle, the back line with speed to burn and with the mercurial Bevan French…………. you sad Aussies, you let a half-decent player leave and a champion team has made him a truly world class player – A CHAMPION in every sense of the word
Dave Berry
October 13, 2024 at 10:59 am
The avatar “Yorkshire Saint” says it all,we just appreciate what Bevan gives us, he’s a special talent end of
john weldrick
October 13, 2024 at 12:29 pm
Australia is blessed with gorgeous weather that suits outdoor sports, they also have excellent training facilities, large investment in rugby league , schools that promote fitness and competitive spirits , a culture that praises athleticism, on the downside their education system is diabolical, so let’s. ot get too excited when they open their mouths , it’s usually drivel
Muk
October 13, 2024 at 12:30 pm
Bitter saints fans
LEN ARMSTRONG
October 13, 2024 at 5:13 pm
He played against Nathan Cleary at the beginning of the year, yesterday Nathan called him a freak of nature when asked about him so if the best Aussie half back says that from the field and the touchline that’s good enough for me.