Quote tvoc="tvoc"I've no idea what Wigan's completion rate ended as but as it was stated on the BBC to be 65% at half-time I'd be a little surprised if they only completed at 55% in the second.
Leeds weren't superb although they also played very well. They got a few rubs of the green and that probably proved to be the difference over the eighty minutes. Even after the drop goal Leeds were still hanging on by their fingertips at times with fifteen to go. Hardaker was called upon twice to make crucial tackles (bearing in mind his effort on Hock in the first half) he did well to bring down Hughes and did remarkably to prevent Tomkins going over. At the same time Leeds should have finished the Burrow break to seal the game. I thought the ball going right to Hardaker rather than it looping left to Hall would have done the trick but Burrow's delivery didn't match his break.'"
I have to say I thought Wigan were never in the game once Leeds scored their second try. It had that feel of a game where Leeds are always chasing but never catch up except this time it was the other way around. Yes, Wigan could have come back but I just didn't feel it (and I'm a really pessamistic supporter).
I also thought Wigan played well, but Burrow tore them a new one again and again and Sinfield got everything right. I agree Burrow took the wrong option when Hall was caught short second half - Hall's after match interview indicated he was playing on one leg in the second half, which probably explains why he looked so sluggish going for the corner - still a great tackle.
We got the rub of the green definately, but Wigan had a little luck as well. When Tomkins made his break that set up their first try the space was clearly made because the tackled player moved 2-3 metres off the mark when he played the ball (something Wigan seem to do a lot) which left no Leeds defenders.
Leeds forwards actually looked fresh - the extra couple of days to turnaround might have made a difference, but for me it was Burrow who just took Wigan to bits on the back of some great play the balls. Noble called it before the game and he was spot on. Credit to Darth Millward for backing Leeds.
I can't find negatives from Leeds here - just a great team performance with some individual pieces of brilliant skill when needed. Wigan were always going to score some points, they've done it for fun all season so far.
There's life in the old dogs yet.
Will eagerly await the result of todays game to find out who Leeds will lose to this year in the final (told you I was a pessamist).
