Super League play-offs: Wigan Warriors beat Hull FC 29-2 to reach Grand Final
- Published
The outstanding Harry Smith scored Wigan's second converted try before the break
Betfred Super League play-off semi-final |
|---|
Wigan (13) 29 |
Tries: Burgess, Smith, Hardaker, Bibby, French Goals: Hardaker 4, Smith |
Hull (2) 2 |
Goal: Sneyd |
Wigan ruthlessly despatched Hull FC to secure their place in the Super League Grand Final with a dominant display.
After Marc Sneyd's early penalty, Wigan turned the game round with clinical finishing from Joe Burgess and Harry Smith.
Hull had begun the first half well but were never allowed to get into the game by Warriors' relentless defence.
And Zak Hardaker, Jake Bibby and Bevan French tries brutally took the game away from the visitors.
Wigan will face either St Helens or Catalans in the Grand Final on Friday, 27 November.
It was fitting that Sean O'Loughlin's final home game was a winning semi-final on his 458th appearance, with his retirement at the end of the season.
But the quality coming through the home ranks even outshone the 37-year-old, with excellent displays by youngster Oliver Partington and Morgan Smithies, as well as half-back Smith.
Sean O'Loughlin has won four Super League titles and remains on course for a fifth
Smith was thrust into the key playmaker position and showed a cool head among the blood and thunder to guide his side to an emphatic win.
French, too, got a try he deserved after laying on scores for Hardaker and Bibby with delightful, high-quality passing - one a deft switch and the other a fizzing cut-out ball.
It could have been a different story had Hull taken advantage of their bright start, but Josh Griffin's tap on Partington's head after an error brought about a penalty to Wigan and, after a coming together, the visitors never came close to making an impact again.
They struggled for field position and were repelled on every occasion, notably when French made a brilliant try-saving tackles to stop the runaway Sneyd late on.
For Hull boss Andy Last there is much to be proud of after they made the play-offs, but for Wigan the chance to win a first championship since 2018 is still alive.
Wigan: French, Bibby, Hardaker, Gildart, J. Burgess, Smith, Leuluai, Bullock, Hastings, Singleton, Farrell, Isa, Partington.
Replacements: Clubb, Flower, O'Loughlin, Smithies.
Hull: Connor, Naulago, Fonua, Griffin, Faraimo, Tuimavave, Sneyd, Taylor, Johnstone, Bowden, Ma'u, Savelio, Cator
Replacements: Houghton, Satae, Sao, Fash.
Referee: Chris Kendall (RFL).