Wigan Warriors 0 - 1 Leigh Leopards
GARETH O’BRIEN sealed a glorious win with a field goal in extra time, guiding Leigh Leopards to a momentous season-opening derby victory. This marked Leigh's inaugural win in Wigan since 1983, achieved in the most low-scoring Super League match ever chronicled. In fact, we have not had a 0-0 at 80 minutes for over 30 years.
Nothing rivals the thrill and anticipation that a new Betfred Super League season ignites, and the Warriors crafted a pre-game atmosphere that set hearts racing and emotions aflame. As the legendary and iconic Michael Buffer proclaimed, "Let's get ready to Rumble...." a shiver ran down the spines of all present as 17 valiant heroes stepped onto the field. It is time to relive the action:
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The Coaches Assessment
Matt Peet
“I hope this game is spoken about in the right manner. A stray word here and there could undersell that game and it deserves to be highlighted. I am disappointed we got beat, but to be involved in a game like that is special. I have been involved in games where we have won by 40, 50 and 60. They are non-events."
Adrian Lam
“I was very proud of the efforts. When you have so many new players in your squad, and with five making their (Super League) debut tonight, I was uncertain about what would happen. I lay in bed just wanting them to turn up for each other and be connected as a group.”
The Final Word
The players, coaches, and officials have just ushered in the new season, brimming with joy and celebration. The Wigan Warriors, a team of champions, will not lose rest over this setback, though its sting may linger in the days to come. Meanwhile, the Leigh Leopards have captured the spotlight with their performance, as Jon Wilkin and Kyle Amort brace themselves for the unfolding saga of 26 more rounds, perhaps inching toward a second serving of humble pie. Welcome back, Betfred Super League; your absence has been felt!
The Gladiators who took the Field
Wigan Warriors
1 Jai Field
22 Zach Eckersley
3 Adam Keighran
4 Jake Wardle
5 Liam Marshall
6 Bevan French
7 Harry Smith
16 Liam Byrne
17 Kruise Leeming
10 Luke Thompson
11 Junior Nsemba
12 Liam Farrell
13 Kaide Ellis
Interchange
15 Patrick Mago
19 Tyler Dupree
20 Harvie Hill
23 Tom Forber
Sin bin: Liam Farrell (52), Adam Keighran (79)
Leigh Leopards
1 David Armstrong
18 Keanan Brand
3 Tesi Niu
4 Umyla Hanley
5 Josh Charnley
6 Gareth O’Brien
7 Lachlan Lam
8 Owen Trout
17 Brad Dwyer
10 Robbie Mulhern
11 Frankie Halton
20 Ethan O’Neill
13 Isaac Liu
Interchange:
9 Edwin Ipape
12 Jack Hughes
15 Alec Tuitavake
16 Matt Davis
Drop Goal: O’Brien (83)
Man of the Match - The Super League Raw Trophy
3pts - Edwin Ipape
2pts - Frankie Halton
1pt Kaide Ellis
Super League Raw Members Man of the Match
David Armstrong
Key Performance Indicators:
Top Tackler - Luke Thompson - 57
Top Tackle Busters - Liam Marshall, David Armstrong - 9
Most Carries - Liam Marshall - 32
Most Metres - Liam Marshall - 251
Most Hard Metres - (Prop, SR, Loose Forward) - Frankie Halton - 140
Most Clean Breaks - Kruise Leeming, David Armstrong & Tesi Niu - 1
Most Offloads - Kaide Ellis, Robbie Mulhern - 3
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Real sport has finally returned, Super League 2025 could be one of the most entertaining seasons of the Summer Era. What a way to mark the 30th season of Super League.
Even has a Warriors fan am disappointed with the result but not the overall performance, wasted Captains challenge from our point of view imo, bring on the next 8 months
Ethan O'Neill's defence was outstanding
Ipape made a massive impact coming into the game and brought Leigh forward more in attack and defence and made them more threatening, without him, I think the result would have been different.
Thought Nsemba had a good game as well, be interesting to see his stats as he did some big hits in both attack and defence.
Great game all round and a great advert for the sport. Both defence coaches, take a bow, great effort there from both to nullify each teams attack.