History comes in all different shapes and sizes. Heck, there were two different pieces of history on the line here in what felt like one of the most absorbing Grand Finals in history during the buildup.
But every now and then, there is a moment in time that surpasses all others. As Wigan lifted the Super League trophy aloft under the lights at Old Trafford, it was difficult not to think we were witnessing a moment that may not be seen again for some time.
Consider that, before this, only four teams in the 129-year history of rugby league had swept the board and won the four major trophies on offer to them in that particular season: Hunslet in 1907-08, Huddersfield in 1914-15, Swinton in 1927-28 and Wigan in 1994-95. Matt Peet’s side added their name to that exclusive list to become the first team in the Super League era to win a grand slam.
While there is an argument that teams from different eras should not be compared, this Wigan side must now be considered one of the greatest ever. In a salary-capped sport, for one club to win every domestic trophy on offer in a single season is nothing short of sensational.
And there was an eerie warning to the rest from Peet after the match. “This isn’t the end,” he said. “We’ve got so much more learning to do and so much more to build connection-wise. I think it’s for others to make comparisons, there have been some very good teams.”
Having already won the World Club Challenge in February, the Challenge Cup at Wembley in June and the League Leaders’ Shield a little over three weeks ago, you always felt it would take something special from Hull KR – themselves bidding for a slice of history – to prevent the inevitable.
In testing conditions, this was an attritional game. But that is exactly what Wigan like; they have made it their business to win matches of this nature, where the margins can be fine and the stakes at their highest. The decisive play came midway through an absorbing first half, when you sensed the wind disappearing from Hull KR’s sails in one moment of brilliance.
Rovers had dominated the opening quarter in terms of territory but had little to show for it. Then, with Wigan mounting their first meaningful attack, Bevan French stepped off his right foot to puncture the Hull KR line before doing the same again to bamboozle Niall Evalds and open the scoring in sensational fashion.
On a night when French became the recipient of the inaugural Rob Burrow Award for player of the match, it was a fitting moment, given how Burrow scored an equally superb try here 13 years earlier. When Harry Smith kicked a drop goal on the stroke of half-time to make it 7-0 and open up a two-score lead, it felt like a significant margin.
“He can do things other players can’t,” the beaten coach, Willie Peters, said of French. “Wigan are still the leaders in this competition and they showed it again tonight.”
For the Robins, who earned so many admirers throughout 2024, this was a game too far. Bottom of Super League in 2020, they have emerged as a force this year but their wait for a first trophy since 1985 continues.
“I’m extremely proud to be head coach of this team,” Peters said afterwards. “The players didn’t let anyone down tonight.” As he pointed out, the Smith drop goal was a big moment. Conditions deteriorated after half-time, making penetrating a resolute Wigan defence an impossible ask.
This Wigan side are renowned for closing out contests when they are ahead. Unfortunately for Rovers and their 20,000-strong army of travelling supporters, they did not really have much of a spark to even suggest a comeback could be possible.
A penalty from Mikey Lewis reduced Wigan’s lead to five points but four minutes later Adam Keighran responded to make the gap seven again. That left the remaining 15 minutes feeling more like a procession than a grandstand finale.
From there, Wigan did what Wigan now so often do: see it out with minimal fuss to cement their place in history.
