2016 Super League Grand Final

2016 (2016) Super League Grand Final  ()
Warrington Wolves Wigan Warriors 6 12
1 2 Total WAR 6 0 6 WIG 2 10 12
Date	8 October 2016
Stadium	Old Trafford
Location	Trafford, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
Harry Sunderland Trophy	Liam Farrell
Jerusalem	Laura Wright
Referee	Robert Hicks
Attendance	70,202
Broadcast partner
Broadcaster	Sky Sports
< 2015 Super League Grand Final 2017 >

The 2016 Super League Grand Final was the conclusive and championship-deciding match of the Super League XXI season. It was held on Saturday 8 October 2016,^[1] at Old Trafford, Manchester, with a 6pm kick-off time. British rock band Feeder provided the pre-match and half-time entertainment.^[2]

The Wigan Warriors were crowned champions, winning their fourth Super League crown, and prevented Warrington from winning their first Super League trophy in 61 years.

Background

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	Pts
1	Warrington Wolves	30	21	1	8	944	650	+311	43
2	Wigan Warriors	30	21	0	9	669	560	+109	42

Warrington Wolves

Warrington's back end of the season started badly when they lost at the Challenge cup final, when they lost 12-10 against Hull FC. Then in the rematch of the final, Warrington won 23-6 to win the League. They then beat St Helens for only the 2nd time at the Halliwell Jones Stadium to clinch the first Final spot.

Wigan Warriors

Wigan have been quieter than usual this season, however in the back end of the season Wigan have fought back to finish second by beating Hull FC and Warrington Wolves away. However, they have lost there last 2 grand finals, and beat the wolves in 2013. Therefore, although Warrington could be favourites on league position, Wigan will be favourites to lift the Trophy for the first time in 3 seasons.

Match day

Pre-game

The match was a rematch of the 2013 Super League Grand Final, where Wigan won the trophy after trailing at half-time. This is Wigan's fourth consecutive Grand Final appearance. Warrington have been in the Grand Final twice before and have never won the Super League trophy, with their last league trophy win coming 61 years ago in the 1954–55 Northern Rugby Football League season.^[3]

Wigan were underdogs coming into this match as a host of their regular players were missing through injury. Players such as Sam and Joel Tomkins, Michael McIlorum, Dominic Manfredi, and Lee Mossop. Skipper Sean O'Loughlin was also amongst this list but was rushed into the team for the Grand Final and was placed on the bench after two 'successful' training sessions. Warrington's Chris Sandow was also a late inclusion for the Grand Final after he recovered enough to play, however he also started the game on the reserves bench.

This was the last rugby league match for Wigan's Josh Charnley before heading off to play rugby union. Teammate, Lewis Tierney, son of 1998 Super League Grand Final winner and dual-international, Jason Robinson, created history by becoming the first son to play in a Grand Final after his father did.^[4]

Match details

8 October 2016 18:00 BST

Warrington Wolves	6 – 12	Wigan Warriors
Tries: Patton  21' Goals: Patton (1/1) 22'	(Report)	Tries: Gildart  55' Charnley  63' Goals: Smith (2/4) 8', 74'

Old Trafford, Manchester Attendance: 70,202 Referee/s: Robert Hicks Man of the Match: Liam Farrell

First Half

Wigan opened the scoring in the 8th minute with a penalty goal from Matty Smith due to teammate, John Bateman, being held too long in a tackle.

In the 17th minute, Wigan dotted the ball on the line out wide with Charnley however the try wasn't awarded because the tip on from Gelling was forward due to pressure from Warrington's defence. This was Wigan's only notable effort in the first half as errors, such as this one, from both teams cost them opportunities.

However, in the 21st minute, Warrington did score a 4-pointer thanks to a try from Declan Patton, who was only making his 9th appearance of the season. He then converted his own try to give his team a 6–2 lead, which they'd hold onto until half-time.^[5]

Second Half

In the 54th minute, Ryan Atkins made his way over the try-line for Warrington, however referee Robert Hicks sent the final decision to be made upstairs as he couldn't see whether or not the ball was grounded on the try-line after 5 Wigan players were tackling Atkins. Hicks' initial TRY decision was overturned by video referee, Ben Thaler, as Atkins was clearly seen losing control of the ball before it touched the line in the video replays.^[6]

A minute later Liam Farrell broke Warrington's defensive line and then gave a pass off to Oliver Gildart who'd go on to score the 100th Super League Grand Final try. After kicking from a wide angle, Matty Smith was unable to convert and the scores remained level.

In the 63rd minute, Josh Charnley wasn't denied this time around, scoring after grounding another departing team member's, Dan Sarginson, grubber in the in-goal area. Matty Smith again had to covert from out wide, but he yet again failed to capitalise on the extra 2 points.^[7]

Matty Smith then finally added another two points courtesy of a penalty conceded by Daryl Clark. The penalty-goal made the score 12–6 to Wigan with only 6 minutes remaining. After this moment, all the chances belonged to Warrington but Wigan's defence stood up when it mattered most, tackling players out of play and tackling them on the 5th tackle to create a turnover each time. Wigan held on to win yet another Super League title.^[8]

Post-match

Wigan's victory was their fourth Super League title.^[9]

Liam Farrell won the Harry Sunderland Trophy for Man of the Match.

The match was also the last for SkySports commentator, and former Great Britain international, Mike Stephenson after 26 years of commentating the sport.^[10]

World Club Series

By winning this match Wigan had qualified for the World Club Series final, to be played at DW Stadium against the winners of the 2016 NRL Grand Final, the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. Warrington, as the runners up, will play 2016 NRL Grand Final runners up Melbourne Storm at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. The third team to enter the World Club Series will see Challenge Cup champions Hull F.C. who take on Canberra Raiders at KCOM Stadium. Time and dates are yet to be announced.

References