Fans of the Warrington Wolves may be waking up this morning with sore heads and a sense of regret, as their side fell short of lifting the Challenge Cup at Wembley stadium yesterday.
Warrington were their own worst enemies, producing a string of errors which prevented them from creating a sustained threat against a champion Wigan Warriors side. For head coach, Sam Burgess it represented a missed opportunity to win silverware at the first time of asking in his coaching career.
Fans and media have reacted with disappointment to the defeat, which means that Warrington’s wait for a major final victory over Wigan continues. The two sides last met in a Challenge Cup final in 1990, with Wigan also running out winners on that occasion
The Warrington Guardian reported that: “Sam Burgess’ side were beaten by neighbours Wigan Warriors after producing an error-strewn, erratic display on the big stage.” Before concluding that whilst Warrington scored a late try, there was no hope for a turnaround. “Wire did at least have the final word as Dufty crossed, but a comeback was never on the cards.”
Warrington forward, Paul Vaughan, believes Warrington “beat themselves”, rather than Wigan being the best side, in their defeat.
QUIZ: Can you name these 10 Warrington players from the Super League era?
Warrington Wolves fans rue costly errors
Credit: Imago Images
Fans on social media also blamed the defeat on Warrington’s string of costly errors. One fan believed the first half was “embarrassing”.
Embarrassing first half, 10 errors can’t expect to win any game like that, never mind the final, Wigan didn’t even need to get out of 1st gear
— Liam Smith (@LiamSmiths7) June 8, 2024
Another fan described Warrington’s performance as “awful” believing his side’s failure to keep hold of the ball meant Wigan only had to do the basics to win the game.
Awful performance, Wigan only needed to play the basics because of how poor we were.
— Callum Sherratt (@Cal_Sherratt06) June 8, 2024
Others believes that the result showed that Sam Burgess’ gamble in resting players for the previous weekend’s game against Wigan had not worked. The result meant Warrington dropped two points behind the Warriors in the table, with the Cherry and Whites also having a game in hand.
The resting gamble didn’t pay off…players very sluggish looking like there happy to be runners up…too many errors that just handed the game to Wigan on a silver platter 🤷♂️🤷♂️ what was the game plan I wonder as Wigan didn’t have to so anything
— Ryan williams (@Ryanwil05076171) June 8, 2024
For others, it was a familiar feeling of disappointment at the hands of Wigan in a final.
Of all our final performances against Wigan that was comfortably the worst. Money well spent…..
— Frazer Yeomans (@FrazerYeomans) June 8, 2024
Burgess admits Warrington were “always behind”
Credit: Imago Images
Speaking in his post match press conference, Burgess admitted his side were always chasing the game. Burgess did not believe Warrington Wolves performed to the levels they have done so far this season. He said:
“We were always behind and didn’t play the way we’ve played all year.
“That’s the most disappointing – if we’d have come here and played great but got beat, we could live with that.
“The players are really disappointed in there and rightly so, but we’ve got to learn from that, take the experience and move forward.”
However Burgess does not believe that the performance will shake the confidence of his side, with big games to come later in the season.
“We’re not going to be shaken by it. We made the final – however many teams competed to be here but we’re here. We just had a bad day at the office. Is it going to knock our confidence? No
Are we disappointed? Of course we are, but it’s only going to make us better in the long run. I expect them to be disappointed but I don’t know how it can knock our confidence. It will just give us greater experience for next time we’re here.”
