‘Lying is a sin’: Penrith star’s dig at Wigan rival over controversial try

Wigan: Panthers winger Brian To’o has taken a subtle swipe at the man who scored the controversial try which sealed Wigan’s World Club Challenge upset, claiming he knew he never grounded the ball on the line and suggesting “lying is a sin”.

In the aftermath to the Super League champions’ momentous 16-12 win at the DW Stadium on Sunday morning (AEDT), To’o had a jab at Wigan centre Jake Wardle, who was awarded the only try of the second half.

Television replays appeared to show Wardle was stopped before the line by To’o and Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards, but referee Liam Moore advised the video official he thought it was a try on the field. The decision stood after closer inspection from the eye in the sky.

Asked about his thoughts on the call, To’o said: “You can’t change much. The result is made, but he already knows he didn’t get it over the line. I’m sure the ref knows as well. Lying is a sin, as well.

“I already knew he didn’t get it down and when they awarded it, you’ve just got to move on. It is what it is. I’m happy for them. They can enjoy the win, and they deserve it, I guess.”

The Wardle incident was one of two contentious decisions in the second half, with Penrith’s returning star Taylan May denied a last-second try which would have levelled the contest.

Jake Wardle dives for the tryline as Brian To’o tries to hold the Wigan player up.

May tried to burrow over in the corner, but Moore said he didn’t think the ball had been grounded – a decision supported by the video referee.

“I thought I [scored],” May said. “Afterwards, I was cramping, so I didn’t really get up and celebrate– so that [probably] didn’t help anything.”

Quizzed about the two calls, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary was philosophical: “I didn’t see the screen on the [May] one, and I didn’t see the ball over the line on that [Wardle] one either.”

The second-half officiating overshadowed an outstanding night for rugby league in northern England, with a sold-out crowd of 24,091 roaring the hosts to a fifth World Club Challenge success. Three-time NRL defending champions Penrith have still to win one.

Liam Farrell of Wigan Warriors lift the trophy following victory.

In a see-sawing match, Bill Ashurst Medal winner and reigning Man Of Steel Bevan French set up Wigan’s two first-half tries to Abbas Miski and Kruise Leeming, but Matt Peet’s side trailed 12-10 at the break after Edwards’ late effort.

Wigan’s outstanding defence trapped Penrith in possession on the last no less than six times in the first half alone.

And it was Wardle’s try with 28 minutes left which proved the difference as he pounced on a kick from Jai Field, who later made two sensational try-saving tackles to deny May.

The Warriors thought they had sealed the contest with eight minutes left when French sped onto a scrum set play with halfback Harry Smith launching a kick on the first play from near the half-way line.

But French was adjudged to have been marginally offside, and Wigan managed to find a way to repel the Panthers, right up until the last second.

“The basis of our game is really strong, we just didn’t have the polish tonight,” Cleary said. “Again, there’s a couple of reasons with combinations, but the Wigan defence was outstanding.

“In three trips to our end they scored three tries, which is something we don’t pride ourselves on. It was a game of inches, and it was extremely close throughout the 80 minutes.”

The Panthers lost winger Sunia Turuva to an aggravation of a pre-season PCL injury in his knee less than a fortnight before their round one showdown with the Storm in Melbourne.

But the night belonged the English powerhouse, who have already started their Super League season and withstood wave after wave of Penrith attack with the backing of a vocal crowd.

“I feel proud of a special group of players,” Peet said. “It was a special night.”

Said Cleary: “I’d much prefer to come here and lose than not come at all. I thought it was a great night for rugby league, whether we won or lost.”

WIGAN WARRIORS 16 (Abbas Miski, Kruise Leeming, Jake Wardle tries; Harry Smith 2 goals) defeated PENRITH PANTHERS 12 (Nathan Cleary, Dylan Edwards tries; Cleary 2 goals) at DW Stadium. Referee: Liam Moore. Crowd: 24,091.

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