29/09/2013 Rugby League: Super League Highlights

COMMENTATOR: Beautiful play! At they are in the ascendancy, no

doubt. Magnificent. Superb effort. And absolutely Fabulous try.

The Challenge Cup sits alongside the FA Cup in Wigan. Will the Super

League Trophy will be in their in a week's time. In the week three of

the play-offs. COMMENTATOR: Magnificent effort. It

is too easy! Robinson is in again, his fourth. Kallum Watkins. An easy

try. That is what they needed. That is what St Helens needed. St Helens

are level. Maguire with the drop kick. The match when! With me this

week, the coach of the Salford Red Devils as they are now known. Brian,

following last week, Peter lost his job at Hull. I was disappointed for

Peter, ostensibly on the back of that defeat. We do not know what

goes on at the behind scenes at the club. If there is disruption, more

often than not it is easy to sack the coach rather than players. Lee

Radford, watch out, I am thrilled for him. He was at Bradford. A

strong and determined current will stop he is a great person. I wish

him the best. The other news this week was something we knew, Sam

Tomkins is off to the New Zealand Warriors. It was the worst kept

secret in the game. We wish him Warriors. It was the worst kept

well, as well. He has lived up the Super League. He has been brilliant.

We want him to do the same in New Zealand. People are plying their

trade down there because it is perceived as the tougher

competition. I think he will fly down there. It is a good move.

Warrington chose to play Huddersfield and Tony Smith claim

to have nothing to do with that decision. They went for the highest

ranked team. I am sure Tony Smith would have had something to say to

whoever made the decision. Very interesting. When it motivate

Huddersfield? Do you not need motivation at this stage? You take

those things out of the equation. When you get to the best four teams

in the last weekend before the Grand Final, that is soon forgotten.

The fans and directors might look at the implications and you have to

weigh everything up, but when you have the best four teams wanting a

place in the final, you will see cracking games. First, Warrington

against Huddersfield. Did they choose wisely? There victory over

Leeds Rhinos makes them strong contenders for a second consecutive

appearance at Old Trafford. The departure of Adrian Morley added

motivation. The league leaders are keen to build on their success.

Another dazzling display by Luke Robinson is key. A Grand Final

Appearance 80 minutes away from one of these teams. Huddersfield with

the chance to take part in their first Super League Grand Final.

Warrington are keen to return to Old Trafford and make to -- make

amends for the defeat last season. Jake Connor comes in for the

injured Grix. Physically, they have dominated.

That is the test a Huddersfield, can they stand up physically? Under

the controversial Club Call system Warrington chose to play against

Huddersfield rather than Leeds. We will see if the choice bears out.

What would you have done? I think it is a silly idea, a gimmick that

is not needed. Warrington have won the last eight games against

Huddersfield and so there is some form. Do you go for the two points,

only two minutes in the game, will you keep the momentum and go for

the six? I am old-fashioned. I would go for two points. They are

going for six. That is the modern way. In cup games, you are more

conscious of going for the two. It is a try! Mugged is in already.

What a final pass -- Joel Monaghan. Warrington starting off like a

house on fire. Joel Monaghan in for his 29th of the season. They

concede a penalty early in the game. They go into their structure. Lee

Briers, the ball out the back. Short passing. Joel Monaghan found

the try-line. This is where Lee Briers excels.

That was a nice little cake. Has somebody scored? Yes, it looks like

a mix up behind the line. -- kick. Nobody really took it. Let's see

what the video referee has got to say. They are onside. No body

shouted for the ball. He cut across Westwood. It is a try 100%. They

had people. They read it and covered it. I thought it had come

off Ratchford. You might be right. You can see better than me. Ray

French picked it up. If it has come off Danny Brough... Look how he is

standing. They are going for the touchdown. It goes backwards. I am

starting to lean towards it has come off Danny Brough. I think it

is a try, I think it is not back. Who invented the video referee? Try.

Go at half backs, building pressure. -- good half backs. Danny Brough

followed up on the kick. It is a try. Huddersfield, Danny Brough

again. The referee said to play on. That was a big decision. I thought

he had lost it. What did he do? I think he gave

obstruction against Cudjoe. He dropped it. It was a free play to

Huddersfield. It occurred because he crossed behind a player and you

cannot do that. The referee is explaining to Richie

Myler exactly what happened. It is all Huddersfield at the

moment. Has he got it down? We cannot tell.

The referee things there might be a chance. A youngster on his debut.

He has powered over with three players. He is strong. He also has

the ability to back himself. That is a fair try to a kid on his debut.

He had the confidence to go for it and he has got it. Jake Connor. In

his first season. 18 years old. That will give him confidence. He

has the ability to back himself. He powers through. They underestimate

his strength and he gets through over the line. Robinson was not

his strength and he gets through bothered about passing, he knows

that he had strength. He -- he trains with him.

He could not control the ball. Play on.

line from Huddersfield. It is an even contest at the moment. That

has to be a penalty. When you give away a penalty on a late run, they

kill team's defence if energy and structure. -- defensive.

This Huddersfield holding well.

That was a good and solid tackle. Again. Terrific passing out wide.

Down the middle of the pack, sucking in the defenders. Lee

Briers knew where the ball was going. You give away a penalty late

and you face the consequences, especially against a team like

Warrington. Three on two and the subtle pass to Joel Monaghan. He is

always there. A brace of tries for Joel Monaghan,

30 this season. I think there will be another

forward to go yet. Adrian Morley. Sooner or later they whip that ball

along the line. Here he goes! Now then. He has got it down, but was

the tackle in when his elbow touched the ground? Was there delay? This

will be a very interesting decision, I think. This will be double

movement, but does the player stop his progress? If he deems the player

has rolled, he is allowed to roll. He still has not got the ball on the

ground and a boot has come up out of the grass with the Huddersfield sock

on it! No try. Good ruling by the video referee. I think some fans

below us a great. There was not much booing or jeering at the referee. He

looks like he might have broken his hand, I think. This is a try! No

question. Warrington are in there. Of that kick. Simon Grix it is. He

was alert and he went through. Teams that win championships have a good

kicking team. They get the opportunity. Chris Bridge gets held

up. Who will step up and create the pressure with their kicking game?

This time he says, give me the ball. He gets the bounce but he has

plenty of chasers and they get rewarded. It comes off Leroy Cudjoe.

He misses it and he is there. Good tackle by Danny Brough. He is

getting through a lot of work in defence. Taken again! Beautifully

plucked out of the air by Ryan Atkins. The fans are going wild. And

Warrington increase that lead. 22-10. They practice makes perfect.

This is something that modern outside backs have got to have, the

ability to catch the ball above your head. Warrington is a great

exponent. It is another sign of building pressure with your kicking

game, timing your run, don't let it hit your chest, catch it high and

score. Joel Monaghan making good ground out

of the defence. Gareth Carvell should make a good

contribution to Bradford next year. That is where he is bound. Now, a

chance for Huddersfield. This Huddersfield hooker picks up a

lot of tries, number nine. He will be watched. Robinson cannot get it

away. Very effective tackle from Monaghan. Patrick two metres short.

This is better from Huddersfield but they have to stay down here. Yes!

That is a try! Jermaine McGillvary, he is in. No problem whatsoever. The

big man did well to keep that ball and himself in play. Huddersfield

hit back. Gareth Carvell gives the Huddersfield Giants the chance to

attack and they have not had many Huddersfield Giants the chance to

opportunities. Danny Brough doubles up. They wed in from the outside and

create a space for Jermaine McGillvary. That is vision. Too big

and strong from Jermaine McGillvary. Warrington winning by eight points.

Huddersfield need to pick up points soon. Crabtree driving in.

Huddersfield pressing this one into line. Can they get over? He has kept

hold of it. A plume tie over the line. Just one metre short. -- Ta-ai

over the line. A good kick, up in the air, but

caught behind with Atkins. Ten minutes remaining. Huddersfield will

not go away with ten minutes remaining. They can sniff victory

and the way to do it is with that great kicking game.

Those Huddersfield fans, clad in claret and gold, feeling their side

coming back into it. Jason Chan has had a good game. He

has been very good. Crabtree driving it in. He just needed support on his

left hand side. Shaun Lunt beginning to work again.

Huddersfield are right back bang in this game. Huddersfield go down the

left-hand side, they come behind Shaun Lunt, some tired bodies after

repeated errors, forcing him in for a try. And Huddersfield running

well. Crabtree is smashing through and making a big difference. He gets

out wide again. Adam Murphy comes inside. He has lost the ball.

Massive call this one in the context of the game. He is not going to ask

his linesman. He has lost control. of the game. He is not going to ask

It is a great ruling by the referee. He has lost contact. He

lost contact of the ball and it propelled forward. Lee Briers going

in. Massive decision. Imagine if that was a penalty! You have to love

Huddersfield for hanging in at the moment. They are not going away.

Less than seven minutes remaining. Two points the difference.

Huddersfield hitting back. Warrington really need to score

again to clinch this match. We'll Lee Briers go for a drop goal?

Could be worth it. Moving towards the post.

He is over! And Simon Grix has scored! Huddersfield committed the

gravest error you can commit in rugby and that is to let the ball

bounce. It bounced the wrong way. And Simon Grix has scored. This

could be the match clincher. We have harped on all game about how

important kicking is, but just as important is the kick chase. He can

see where the fullback is, but the Huddersfield team lets it bounce.

With people around, Warrington seize the opportunity. Nobody attempts to

go for it because they are jostling around each other. The ball is

propelled back across the face of the defence. Four outside backs not

prepared to put their hand up. Are they looking for offside? He is way

onside. Simon Grix goes on and scores. Warrington will be at Old

Trafford next week for the Grand Final. A good score of 30 points to

22 here tonight. Happy with that result? No doubt. Yes, we are happy

with the result. It was a tough, hard fought game and Huddersfield

certainly had their say in the match. I thought we were a bit off

in some areas and I thought we were trying really hard to early to win a

game, rather than just build a game. We will rusty in some areas but that

is the way it goes. The effort has been there all year and the day

again and this has been great and we have a group of disappointed players

because they wanted to go to the Grand Final. -- the togetherness has

been great. We have to take it on the chin and hope the referee sticks

to his convictions. That is not why we lost. When you lose, you always

look at one thing. It was a nailbiter, that when Simon Grix went

over, we knew we had finally got there. It was a great feeling when

the final whistle went. Really pleased for the boys. A win for you

and Arab rubble -- a memorable night, but you will be moving on to

Salford. Yes, this club has been fantastic for me and it has been a

big part of my life and it will remain so. Especially emotional. My

little kids were mascots today and it is lovely that the fans gave us a

great farewell. But everything comes to an end and thankfully I won my

last game for the Warrington Wolves. There is one more game in me and we

will see how I go next week. So no real complaints about the result?

No. It is not nice when you are in that situation and they will be

disappointed as to how they have played compared to how they have

been playing but semifinal games can do that to you. Warrington said they

had to step up another gear for the final. I think they have that in

them. They have got there and they were delighted. They will probably

have to play a little bit better than they did on the evening but

they are there and they can talk about that kind of thing. Great for

Adrian Morley to bow out and come to you after the Grand Final. He has

been awesome. A fine man and a fine leader and he has played so well

this season. We are looking forward to next year but it is important to

finish this year. What will be the key battle looking ahead?

I like the way they went about their business. They fell off the

radar and now they are back. It will excite them to do the double.

We have an unbelievable game coming up to decide which way it will go.

And emotional game. They have to be careful about that. It has not to

be the emotion. There is a game to careful about that. It has not to

be played. It will be more emotional if you can get on the

right side of it. Wigan against Leeds. They hatch to overcome

Huddersfield to book their place -- they had to. The last home game for

Sam Tomkins, Richards and Lee Mossop. It makes it special. Leeds

showed their pedigree. The victory against St Helens coming courtesy

of Danny McGuire. They go to Old Trafford. Their third successive

Grand Final appearance. They are one game away from an Old

Trafford return. The side that knows how to get to a Grand Final

better than anyone else. For his final home appearance, Richards

leads out the Wigan side. They have the Challenge Cup trophy. A double

is within their sights. Sam Tomkins will make his final appearance

tonight after his publicised move to the New Zealand Warriors was

finally confirmed. Pat Richards and Lee Mossop also making their final

bows. Jones-Buchanan survives an injury scare to play.

This has the promise and potential to be as good as any game we have

seen so far this season. Rugby league heavyweights going head to

head with a Grand Final at stake. There are good players out there.

Let's hope that we see the best of everybody and if we do, we are in

for a cracker. Leeds turning up the heat in defence in the early stages.

Keeping up the progress of Wigan to a minimum. This is a good defensive

start from Leeds. That was the sixth tackle. Tomkins cannot

start from Leeds. That was the away and there is a knock-on from

Harrison Hansen, I think. Wigan under pressure. Joel Moon with the

steel. Wigan's defences relatively fresh, but they are being tested.

Kallum Watkins put the footwork on. Joe's bishop for the corner. It

looks like he might have bounced it -- Ben Jones-Bishop. He does not

look confident. Will he go for the video referee? It is clearly not a

try. I think the referee was confident about that from the start.

It is a question of the restart. What a start from the point of view

of Leeds. It is important for the Wigan team to look to start

stronger. The Leeds defence pushing. There

handling was good from Wigan will - - Wigan. That was really smart and

efficient handling work by the Wigan back line. Iain Thornley open

-- over in the early stages. This is how to finish the play. The

Leeds team took the risk, trying to put the fire out. In Thornley, but

the catch from the inside. Kevin Sinfield and Danny McGuire were

trying to put the fire out. That is his 13th of the season. Pat

Richards closing in. On a century of goals this year. 93 so far. And

he hit that superbly. A perfect start for Wigan. 6-0. The scale of

the finish was there to see. The ball bounced out to Pat Richards.

Iain Thornley had to be there on the inside to finish the play.

There is so much being asked of the physicality of both sides. They are

testing each other. Good defending from Zak Hardaker to

fill the gap. If Harrison Hansen had done what he intended to do...

Leeds habit. -- have it. What a break. And they have another

six tackles. Was that stolen? It is not.

I am thinking, zero on the 30 metres. Disappointing play from the

point of view of Leeds. Two tackles from Matty Smith,

lifting his defence to help the forwards. And he was involved in a

third. Rob Burrow was allowed to play on.

Despite the attempts of Blake Green. Wigan with a chance. Superb pace

shown by Richards. He passed just about all of them, but at the last

gap, -- gasp, a heroic tackle. They have plenty of tackles. Again,

the defence is good from Leeds. They went the length of the field

almost. Blake Green was aiming for the

sticks and missed them by a distance. I am amazed when Pat

Richards gets the ball, every day of the week, as could a pass as he

will get. Where does Kirke come from? There he was. They have

played each other three times in Super League this season. All of

them have been cracking games with Leeds winning the latest, 20-six.

Also at the Headingley game 18-14 - - 18-14.

Carl Ablett created, but a stunning finish by Joel Moon. Leeds, right

back in the game. This is unbelievable. Ablett had no right

to make any break but he beat two Wigan defenders. Joel Moon did not

know which side. He finishes the play, which is a terrific and

unbelievable play from the Leeds team, who had looked down and out.

He beat Harrison Hansen Anne Smith. He keeps going. -- and Smith.

That his goal 98 for the season. Leeds all square again asked, 6-6.

-- again, It is all about Joel Moon and how

he timed the run. And how he finished the play.

They possibly needed a quicker player than Ben Flower on the

outside with that opportunity. Farrell has found the gap and

scoreline! We can think they have a second. The referee is not so sure.

There must be a case for a potential obstruction. He has

granted it, there is no problem potential obstruction. He has

with that. It is a try. A second for Wigan. They lost the lead

temporarily. They have it back again. Achurch, putting them under

pressure. Blake Green gets the opportunity to go into the line. He

goes between the two defenders. Pat Richards to extend the lead back to

six and he was never likely to miss. Richards to extend the lead back to

12-6, Wigan lead. We can see the finish. Blake Green was the

architect in chief. He went into the Leeds line.

That was a good effort in defence. Like an axe, chopping down Darrell

Goulding. The it was a good effort because he was on his own.

That was a great catch, from Jones- Bishop. Knock-on from Kallum

Watkins and an apology to team- mates because he knows he has given

them a tough few minutes to handle. Brian McDermott knows that this

them a tough few minutes to handle. could be a big set of six.

Here away, eagerly but just

desperately the Leeds players in defence.

desperately the Leeds players in the crucial challenge.

the rugby gods deserted Leeds? Here we see Kallum Watkins at his own end

of the field putting his team under pressure. That kick from Smith.

of the field putting his team under can't quite believe it and they

score. Two, back-to-back. They desperately look on as Darrell

Goulding plans the ball down. Going through the routine that they have

gone through hundreds of times before. He has done it! Don't write

off leads just yet. It is too soon for that. But in the context of the

ferocious intensity of this game, that is a big score. He can't quite

ferocious intensity of this game, gather it up. He is not long or

sticky enough. We have talked about the resilience of this Leeds team

and they will not give up, but the Wigan defence of line has been

particularly impressive tonight as well. -- defensive line. Look at

that! Racing away. He looks up the inside. In and out of Tompkins. Now

for the corner. What a tackle by Harrison Hansen. He was enormous.

And he can't believe it because he has just had glory ripped out of his

fingertips. Joel Moon was away. He had nothing on and then suddenly

everything on. Harrison Hansen comes from nowhere. I think the referee

has changed his initial decision here. There is an argument going

on. The referee has been called in to make this very important

decision. Harrison Hansen knocks the ball out of his hands, surely? They

came away from the scrum with the ball.

Logan Tomkins. A chance to take the ball and he does! Leaves hanging

on. A charge to the line by Flower. Leaves clinging on here. Knowing

they simply cannot afford to concede another try. -- Leeds clinging on.

Smith makes the tackle. We have seen some incredible defence here

tonight. Wigan should have scored. The blue and yellows have been

unbelievable. Leeds's crown is slipping but it is not dislodged

totally yet. Another Wigan try would see to that. Leeds's determination

in defence is heroic at the moment. At first he was looking for the

kick. He off-loaded. That trial by Josh Charnley with some certainty

will have won it for Wigan. Leeds's glory as champions is surely over.

Wigan take the step towards the season double. Leeds scrambling to

get there. Out to Josh Charnley and he will not be beaten. He slides

into school. He can't get to Smith. He obeys the clutches of Kevin

Sinfield as well. Josh Charnley has the easy bit to do. It looks like

game over from there. Josh Charnley's 42nd try of the season.

They will not go down without fight. That was a try of real

quality and what a beauty, too. In all likelihood it will not be

anywhere near enough. Danny McGuire got to the line. A terrific kit. The

conversion has already been taken at the end of that play. It is not

going to work. No time to waste, so the drop kick conversion. 22-12.

They handshakes of congratulations among the coaching staff at Wigan.

Brian McDermott surely knows now that it is not going to be a third

Grand Final appearance for him this year.

Sam Tomkins putting his foot down, getting off-line.

This is Matty Smith in the final seven seconds. Logan Tomkins picks

it up. Wrapped up by defenders and that will be that. It is Wigan and

Old Trafford. Leeds's reign is over. It will be the cherry and whites

against Warrington in the Grand Final in a week's time. A mighty,

mighty effort by both these sides tonight, but it is Wigan who come

out on top. How special to bow out in front of your fans as take them

to a Grand Final? It is very special. All week we have spoken

about how important this game was and we did not want it to be our

last game and we made sure it was not. A very special night for you

last game and we made sure it was and the players. A great experience.

And please for the players that are leaving. What Pat has done for the

club, to get us into the final, we need to improve for next week a

little bit as well. A tough week with injuries. Was that one game too

far? Maybe. It is the same team that has put in a real big effort. We had

the firepower out there to be better than we were. But credit to Wigan,

they had a fair amount of intent defensively. They did more with the

ball than we did. It was just not our night, unfortunately. Sometimes

you can over try, which we started doing. I never felt we were

comfortable because of Kevin Sinfield, Jamie Peacock, that really

talented team. We defended well and I am happy with the result today.

How emotional has tonight been for you? Very. It was strange to know it

would be the last time I'll played in a Wigan jersey on this pitch and

it is not a nice feeling. A script in a Wigan jersey on this pitch and

writer would have you bowing out of Old Trafford in that Wigan shirt.

Yes. It is unbelievable. You could do the double. Yes. Work to do.

Warrington will be tough. That week off did not help. We were a little

bit under done great next week. That was tough. It

was a brutal game. World-class rugby league in its purest form. Wigan

was a brutal game. World-class rugby probably deserved to win it.

was a brutal game. World-class rugby performances, they just had a little

bit more juice. What about this decision? Was the ball locked out of

his hands or was it a tackle? -- knocked out. I thought it was and

the officials adjudicated that the defender had not played the ball and

it was part of the tackle. I think we are all allowed our opinions. It

might have been a different story otherwise. But taking nothing away

from Wigan because they deserve to be in the final. And to beat Leeds

mentally is quite an effort. It be in the final. And to beat Leeds

shows how tough Wigan are. That was a brutal game. To all our viewers

watching this, it was physical and intense with great skill levels and

Wigan deserved to win it. Toby Smith probably enjoyed watching it. He

will know the measure of the task. It is a different ball game next

week, the Grand Final. Two very good teams. Lancashire final. Warrington

and Wigan have lots of history as. Watch out. Sean Wayne said after the

game that the week off had not done them any good and they were

undercooked. Yes, is all the comments about not being as slick as

they normally are. Give credit to Leeds, they came out with that ploy

they normally are. Give credit to to stop the Wigan structure. There

were some ricochets for some of the scoring. But Wigan looked fresher

and slicker. They will be better next week. It was an emotional night

with two players saying goodbye. They have done a brilliant job and

they deserve all the plaudits that people can give them because it has

been good service from them. So Warrington against Wigan in the

Grand Final. We will have highlights next Sunday on BBC Two from five

o'clock. How many of those players will be taking part in the Rugby

league World Cup? We have live coverage of all of the England games

right here. It all kicks off on the 26th of October with a

double-header, Australia and England, and Wales and Italy. Before

double-header, Australia and that, the world gymnastic

Championships are taking place in Belgium. Best Weddle and Will Smith

will give as coverage across all platforms starting on Thursday

evening. Warrington against Wigan, who do you fancy? Don't ask me to

call that! Two great teams. I hope we will see the physical side of it

and they will definitely play football. I don't think we could

have asked for a better final line-up, with all due respect. I

think they have the right stage next week. Warrington will want to put

right some of the rungs of last year. It is great having some close

and tough games in the play-offs. We have the great spectacles that we

have seen and next week will be just have the great spectacles that we

as good. So we have a Grand Final without the Leeds Rhinos. Will they

be making room in the trophy cabinet and Wigan or will Warrington deny

them? -- at Wigan.