Captain’s Challenge controversy, Joe Stimson verdict, injury concern and Castleford Tigers v Wigan Warriors talking points

Wigan Warriors left it late once more as they beat Castleford Tigers 26-20 on Saturday night to move back to within four points of league leaders Hull KR.

Here’s our talking points.

Wigan subpar again

Wigan needed to bounce back after defeat at Wakefield Trinity last week if they were to keep themselves in the League Leaders’ Shield hunt, and they did. But they were some way short of their own standards once again with a last ditch try from Liam Farrell required to seal the points and save some blushes.

The Warriors were sloppy in possession, disjointed in attack and loose when it comes to edge defence during the game and as a result they spent much of the contest trailing. They got the job done but that’s three games in a row now that Wigan have failed to perform and they need to buck up their ideas fast if they’re to keep up the heat on Hull KR in the Super League table.

Wigan take on Leigh Leopards next Friday night and if they play like they did at The Jungle, they’ll be lucky to pick up the points.

Captain’s Challenge controversy

Castleford have every right to feel aggrieved with the match officials after a hugely controversial captain’s challenge decision in the final 15 minutes of the contest. Liam Farrell contested a turnover call after Tyler Dupree was stopped in possession on the last following a piece of sloppy play.

Replays showed Josh Simm playing at the ball on the deck, nudging the ball forward with his leg, for Dupree to collect, ensuring Wigan were correct to challenge the call. But, what video referee Aaron Moore overlooked with a blatant pull back from Harry Smith on Simm to prevent him from collecting the ball.

It should have been a Castleford penalty, but as it was Wigan claimed possession and went up the other end to score through Zach Eckersley.

Stimson verdict

Considering he only got off a plane a few days ago, Stimson turned in a big performance through the middle on his first outing in black and amber. The Australian relished the physical battle of taking on Wigan Warriors after stepping onto the field after 20 minutes or so.

He tackled everything that came his way, carried well enough when he had to and provided the type of presence the Tigers have gone without on a sticky night in West Yorkshire. A solid first showing.

Marshall blow

Liam Marshall limped out of Wigan’s loss with Wakefield Trinity last week with a leg injury but that didn’t prevent him from being named in the starting line-up against the Tigers. However, his night came to an end before kick-off as he limped out of the warm up after rolling his ankle.

Jacob Douglas was the man who stepped into the side, but Marshall is such a key man for the Cherry and Whites but has to be rated as a doubt for next week’s clash with Leigh Leopards.

⏱ 𝙁𝙐𝙇𝙇 𝙏𝙄𝙈𝙀 @procareltd

The Warriors take the two points at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle! #WWRL #SLCASWIG pic.twitter.com/gzSI8gKlpP

— Wigan Warriors 🍒⚪️ (@WiganWarriorsRL) June 28, 2025