In a ground breaking initiative the Wigan Warriors and Hull FC decamped to the WIN Stadium in Wollongong, home of the St George Illawarra Dragons, for their round two Super League encounter, the first ever Super League game to be played outside Europe.
Both sides were looking for their second victory of the season after convincing opening weekend wins, FC over the Giants and the Warriors against the Red Devils. A win for either side would see them above Wakefield Trinity and into top spot in the league.
Wigan had skipper O’Loughlin back after missing last week with Frank-Paul Nuuausala the one making way. Hull made two changes with Danny Washbrook and Liam Watts for Jansin Turgut and Masimbaashe Matongo.
After some fiesty early exchanges Bureta Faraimo was helped from the field after just two minutes looking a little groggy after an accidental head clash. Still adjusting to the loss, FC conceeded the first try a minute later when Liam Marshall had the pace to go forty metres off a Liam Farrell pass to sprint down the left touchline and improve the angle for Sam Tomkins to kick the conversion.
On eleven minutes Marshall had pace to burn with a replay of his first try as he went fifty metres down the wing, outpacing the FC defence to score in the corner. Tonkins hit the left upright with his conversion attempt.
On twenty-three a Wigan mistake gifted Hull possession and they used it well as the moved the ball from right to left with Fetuli Talanoa taking a Jamie Shaul pass to dive over for a spectacular one-handed try. Marc Sneyd failed to add the two from the touchline.
Brilliant Hull defence on thirty-two twice denied Wigan what had looked like certain tries. Two minutes later, on their next attack, Jordan Abdull was on hand to ground when Morgan Escare and Marshall had made a real mess of dealing with a kick through. Marc Sneyd added the extras and after thirty-five minutes the two sides were all tied up at 10-10.
Tomkins took full benefit from a penalty thirty from the Hull line to re-establish a narrow lead on thirty eight, the last scoring action of a grueling first half.
Wigan opened the second half scoring when Ryan Sutton crashed over the line from short range after a couple of good George Williams breaks. Tomkins kicked the extra two for an 18-10 lead.
The Wigan victory was assured on sixty-eight when Ben Flower managed to get the ball on the ground despite the attention of three Hull tacklers. Tomkins added the conversion for 24-10.
Tempers frayed on seventy-four and Sam Tomkins joined Josh Griffin in the sin-bin, the evenings events over for both players.
Two exhausted sides ran the clock to eight minutes and a second Wigan Warriors victory of the season, taking them above Wakefield Trinity into top place on points difference.
Humid conditions were ultimately draining on the players and the game was far from the spectacle that many had hoped for. It was a workman like performance from Wigan who made the most of their opportunities and benefitted from a lack of Hull interchange options due to injury. Both sides have a week to recover until their exhibition games next weekend before returning to cooler climes.
Warriors: Tomkins S (4G, SB), Davies, Sarginson, Gildart, Marshall (2T), Williams, Powell, Clubb, Leuluai, Flower (T), Tomkins J, Farrell, O’Loughlin. Subs: Sutton (T), Tautai, Isa, Escare.
FC: Shaul, Faraimo, Connor, Griffin (SB), Talanoa (T), Kelly, Sneyd (G), Taylor, Houghton, Paea, Manu, Minichiello, Bowden. Subs: Abdull (T), Hadley, Washbrook, Watts.
Referee: Matt Cecchin.
Half-Time: 12-10.
Full-Time: 24-10.
Attendance: .
