The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with the Warriors drawing first blood through Abbas Miski and Kruise Leeming, only for the Panthers to claw back with strikes from Nathan Cleary and Dylan Edwards, edging ahead 12-10 as the teams headed into the break.
But the drama was just getting started.
The second half saw referee Liam Moore making two pivotal decisions that swung the fate of the trophy Wigan’s way. First, he confirmed Jake Wardle’s controversial try, then denied Taylan May’s desperate last-minute effort, leaving the Panthers heartbroken and the Warriors erupting in jubilation.
Penrith, despite dominating Down Under for the last three seasons, found themselves thwarted yet again in their quest for global supremacy, suffering their fourth defeat in as many attempts at the World Club Challenge.
The game was a non-stop thrill ride from the opening whistle, with Wigan showcasing their lethal efficiency by turning their limited excursions into Penrith territory into precious points on the board. The match kicked off with a nerve-racking fumble from Willie Isa, but Wigan quickly shook off the jitters, launching an attack that saw Miski darting over to score off a spectacular long pass from Bevan French.
The Panthers, still shaking off their pre-season rust, managed to respond with Cleary exploiting a fortuitous bounce to cross the line. However, Wigan struck back with a dazzling team effort, culminating in Leeming’s brilliant try.
As the second half unfolded, Wigan’s defense stood like a fortress, repelling the Panthers’ onslaughts with a combination of grit and guile. Wardle’s contentious try, following Jai Field’s clever grubber kick, and Moore’s decisive calls under intense scrutiny, tipped the scales in favour of the home side.
In the dying moments, Penrith launched a frenzied assault in a bid to level the score, but Wigan’s defense, anchored by Field’s heroics and a contentious offside call against French, held firm. Moore’s final verdict on May’s attempt sealed the deal, crowning Wigan as world champions once more and etching their name alongside the Sydney Roosters in the annals of rugby league history.
Final score 16-12 to Wigan.
