Warrington Wolves reached their first Super League Grand Final in almost a decade after emerging through an absorbing playoff semi-final against Leeds Rhinos to move within 80 minutes of a first league title in over 70 years.
The Wire have not been at Old Trafford since 2018 and remain without a league title of any kind since 1955, one of the longest streaks in rugby league. But that streak is now one victory away from ending after Sam Burgess’ side navigated past the Rhinos on a gripping night at Headingley thanks to a dramatic late Ewan Irwin penalty.
The game was level at 12-12 before Warrington were awarded a controversial penalty after George Williams was taken out off the ball. Irwin converted it to put the visitors ahead and they showed immense defensive resolve in the closing moments to hold on and book their spot in the Grand Final. They will face either Wigan Warriors or Wakefield Trinity next Saturday.
As for Leeds, they will look back on this as a huge missed opportunity. Brad Arthur’s side lost their last two home games to surrender top spot in the table to Wigan Warriors, before falling at the first hurdle here.
Leeds’ preparations had already been stunted in the build-up with several key withdrawals but those issues were deepened further minutes before kick-off. Chris Hankinson, already deputising for the Rhinos captain Ash Handley, pulled out with an injury in the warm-up meaning Ned McCormack was drafted in for only the seventh game of his Leeds career.
He and younger brother Fergus, himself only playing in the third Leeds game of his career, due to injuries, were hugely influential in an engrossing first half which delivered a real contrast in styles. The Rhinos, as they have been for most of this season, were always threatening when Jake Connor was given the opportunity to kick the ball, while Warrington’s running game was constant.
It was the Wire who took an early lead when Matty Ashton out-jumped Ryan Hall to tee up James Bentley to open the scoring against his former club. But the hosts responded with some style, with a period of pressure on the Warrington line yielding their first points as Brodie Croft’s cut-out pass found Ryan Hall unmarked in the corner.
Connor converted superbly from the touchline before the Leeds scrum-half delivered a magical moment to haul his side ahead. It was his clever kick on halfway which caught the Warrington backline cold, allowing McCormack to collect before turning the ball back inside for a supporting Connor, who again converted. Suddenly, Leeds led by six: and Headingley was alive.
However, the resilience which has brought Warrington to this stage in the season came to the fore as half-time approached. They withstood more Leeds pressure before taking advantage with their next meaningful attack as George Williams’ pinpoint pass gave Luke Yates the time to cut through and touch down next to the posts. Irwin converted, and it was all square at the break.
But despite both sides looking threatening on multiple occasions in that first half, the potency seemed to fade after the restart and give way for an attritional contest. The Rhinos and the Wolves were both guilty of spurning gilt-edged opportunities to go back ahead, with Connor peculiarly off-target with a kick as Leeds looked to probe the Warrington line.
At the other end, Warrington found themselves in Leeds territory on multiple occasions but they were unable to unpick the Rhinos’ defensive line, with the hosts standing up well to pressure that was only set to rise further. As it entered the final quarter of a gripping semi-final, it remained all square and too close to call.
t was clear any points could now be decisive. And with 15 minutes to go, a crucial juncture arrived; Warrington were awarded a penalty after Williams was adjudged to be checked off the ball by James McDonnell. Leeds challenged the call but were overruled and from the resulting penalty, Irwin’s kick put the Wolves back ahead by two.
The drama wasn’t over though. Connor thought he had kicked a sublime 40-20 but replays showed Keenan Palasia had been tackled before offloading to the half-back. With the last kick of the game, Connor then tried to kick a penalty from 60 metres: but it fell short, and the Wolves progressed.
