It’s a pretty special team we’ve got here – Liam Farrell reflects on Wigan’s win

Liam Farrell wrapped up a historic Betfred Challenge Cup final victory for Wigan at Wembley, then hailed the “special” squad who are every bit as likely to add more to his bulging trophy cabinet before hanging up his boots.

The 33-year-old is one of the most decorated players of modern times, having helped his hometown club to five Grand Finals, four Leaders’ Shields, three Challenge Cups and two World Club Challenges since his debut in 2010.

So it seemed only fitting that Farrell should be the one to burst in a sharp Jai Field offload to effectively seal an 18-8 victory over Warrington, making Wigan the first team from St Helens in 2007 to hold all four of the above. crowns at the same time.

“Only two other teams have done it before and I remember watching those two teams, Bradford and Saints, when I was a kid,” Farrell said.

“We have legends like Tommy (Leuluai) and Sean (O’Loughlin) in our coaching staff who have never done anything like this and we have players like Brad O’Neill who is 21 and has won everything. .

“I think it’s very special now because we have all four trophies. The Challenge Cup is so special to Wigan, so many people have memories of going to Wembley and watching the finals. So for us to be able to bring those memories back to the city is a nice feeling.”

“I wanted to achieve many things in my career, but to win all four trophies (at once) is something else. It’s a pretty special team we have here.”

Wigan’s history-making victory was not one for the ages, their clinical approach alongside a disappointing Warrington display from Sam Burgess ensuring it was a final that lacked the drama of Leigh’s golden points win over Hull KR the previous year.

Instead, it will be a final remembered for the tributes paid to Leeds great Rob Burrow, who was honored with moments of silence and applause throughout final day as his image graced banners and big screens all the way down Wembley Way.

A wild first four minutes – in which Wigan’s Mike Cooper and Warrington full-back Matt Dufty were fiercely fouled – promised much, but the game delivered little in the way of drama, despite Josh Thewlis overtook his side in front.

Burgess’ hopes of marking his high-profile coaching career with a famous win were slowly dashed by a combination of their own laziness and the brilliance of the likes of Bevan French, whose perfectly timed smash sent Zach Eckersley , 20-year-old opening attempt.

French touched down shortly after Warrington winger Matty Ashton’s high kick from Harry Smith and although the Aussie was narrowly denied a second on the stroke of half-time due to the double move, the momentum of the game saw Matt’s men Peet favorites to get the job done.

When Warrington captain George Williams was tackled a few meters from the line early in the second half, his side’s hopes were effectively dashed and Farrell slotted home to seal a victory whose 10-point scoreline did not right Wigan’s dominance.

Farrell later paid tribute to head coach Peet, who continued his own remarkable run at the club by claiming a second Challenge Cup win in his three years in the role and was the architect of his team.

“It ties everyone together,” said Farrell, who has played under three previous Wigan managers. “If we have ideas we want to pitch, Matt is always one or two steps ahead of everyone else. He leads by example and makes it so easy for all of us players.”

For Warrington, it was a case of owning one of the worst performances of an otherwise encouraging season under Burgess, which sees them two points off the top of Super League and every chance of being big players in the post play-offs -season. .

Ashton, who was a shadow of the star who sank St Helens and Huddersfield to seal his side’s trip to Wembley, admitted: “What makes the defeat even harder for us is that we just didn’t play our own game .

“Everything we talked about and planned to do, we went against him and made too many errors and killed ourselves. We need to target the big one now and start building our game. We’ll come back stronger, I’m sure of it.”