Wigan Warriors were crowned the best club team in the world following a 16-12 victory over NRL champions Penrith Panthers at the DW Stadium.
A determined Jake Wardle effort midway through the second half proved the difference as the Warriors claimed the World Club Challenge for the fifth in their history, and for the first time since 2017.
Abbas Miski opened the scoring for the Warriors following a sublime cut-out pass from reigning Steve Prescott Man of Steel Bevan French. Penrith hit back through NRL Grand Final hero Nathan Cleary.
Matt Peet’s side would head into the break ahead however as off-season acquisition Kruise Leeming finished a flowing Warriors move on the right-hand side.
It took less than two minutes of the second half for the visitors to regain the lead with fullback Dylan Edwards slicing his way through two Wigan defenders to cross.
Wardle’s effort would be awarded following review from the video referee whilst the Panthers would be denied with the final play of the game.
Wigan’s victory means the World Club Challenge remains with the champions of the Betfred Super League following St Helens victory Down Under last season, also against the Panthers.
However, according to many down under the decision to award the winning try was incorrect.
Panthers legend slams decision
Panthers legend Greg Alexander describing the call to award Wigan a controversial try as “the worst video ref decision I have ever seen”.
The Panthers went down 16-12 to Wigan but were on the wrong end of three tough calls, including a howler to award Jake Wardle a second-half try even though he was “a foot short of the line” according to Alexander, who teed off on SEN.
This came as NRL Head of Football Graham Annesley questioned the decision when speaking to the Daily Telegraph. He said
“Looking at it from this side of the world on TV, it certainly looked like it may have been short.
“They (referees) are out there trying to make the right decisions, but the process may have let them down.
“I’ve always had the view that the Bunker should make independent decisions without any constraints.”
