Wigan Warriors storm to Super League Grand Final again as surprise starter dominates

Sam Walters made the most of his surprise chance to help fire wonderful Wigan back to Old Trafford.

The towering second-row scored twice as the Super League champions walloped Leigh in a one-sided semi-final. He was only drafted in because captain Liam Farrell was sidelined by a virus. And now Walters - who stands at six foot seven inches - will hope he’s done enough to force his way into Matt Peet’s plans for Saturday’s Grand Final against newcomers Hull KR.

Top try-scorer Liam Marshall also crossed twice, taking his season tally to 34. Wigan already have the World Club Challenge, Challenge Cup and League Leaders’ Shield in the bag. They now bid to become the first club in the summer era to achieve a quadruple - claiming all FOUR trophies in a calendar year.

Peet said: “I’m always nervous coming into a semi-final. Leigh had been in good form and we knew if we didn’t get the start right, anything could happen. But we managed it well. I’m really pleased. You have to do a lot right to win a semi-final . For large parts at the start it was full on.

“But it was our defence that impressed me most. When Leigh came out of their own end we were so connected. It’ll be full-on next week against Hull KR. They’re a great team and found a way to win on Friday. We’re excited to face them.”

Leigh won 11 of their last 13 games to reach a first-ever Super League semi-final but hadn’t won at their local rivals since 1983. It was always going to be hard to end that record especially missing injured winger Josh Charnley and second-rows Kai O’Donnell and Frankie Halton. They had to be at their ultimate best to stand a chance - but were far from it.

Giant second-row Junior Nsemba prowled around with menace to bully them all night. Wigan ruthlessly capitalised on Leigh errors - and kept opponents scoreless for a THIRD successive game. When Matt Moylan spilled Bevan French’s midfield chip, Jai Field produced a brilliant cut-out pass for Marshall to open the scoring on 11 minutes.

Aussie full-back Moylan was at fault for the second, too, spilling after a fierce hit from fellow countryman Adam Keighran. French sent Walters careering through Ricky Leutele’s attempted tackle for the six foot seven inch second-row to stretch out an arm and score. Keighran, who booted 14 points, slotted an easy penalty for a 12-0 lead.

Robbie Mulhern dropped another pass and Field repeated his trick, arrowing a perfect mis-pass to get Marshall in for his second. Barely 90 seconds after the break, Walters powered over for his own brace after Aaron Pene had handed over the ball yet again. French scored an outrageous solo try, pirouetting before piercing bemused defenders with a clever kick that left Peet with a wider smile than some of the holes in Leigh’s shredded defence.

Field deservedly completed the rout before Tyler Dupree was sin-binned late on meaning he will fear what's to come at Monday's match review panel. Leopards boss Adrian Lam admitted: “It was a bit of a nightmare.

“I’m proud of the way we turned our season around to get here. But that first half put us under pressure. It was uncharacteristic from us and I can’t put my finger on why. But I’m proud we got here.”