Warrington ‘brain exploded’ says Brian Noble with Wigan’s ‘fantastically simple’ tactics praised
PHOTO: Richard Sellers/PA Wire/PA Images.
Grand Final winning coach and BBC pundit Brian Noble praised Wigan’s simple tactics following their Challenge Cup quarter-final triumph over Warrington.
Noble also believed that the red card to Kaide Ellis impacted Warrington more than it did Wigan at the DW Stadium.
The 26-year-old Wigan loose forward was sent off inside seven minutes for a headbutt on Wire skipper Stefan Ratchford.
But despite their disadvantage for the next 73 minutes, Matt Peet’s Warriors went on to secure their place in the semi-finals of the prestigious competition with a 14-12 result.
On loan centre Toby King scored the opening try against his parent club, before Harry Smith added a penalty conversation for an 8-0 lead at the break.
Joe Bullock hit back against his former club, before Lebanon international Abbas Miski made it 14-6.
Josh Thewlis made it a tense finish inside DW Stadium with a late try, before crossing again in the latter stages in what could have been the match-winning moment – only for Peter Mata’utia’s pass to be ruled forward.
Brian Noble on Warrington’s ‘brain explosion’ performance
Dissecting the clash post-match live on the BBC, Noble praised Wigan’s ‘simple’ tactics while scrutinising the performance of Daryl Powell’s Wolves.
“I think the send off affected Warrington more than it affected Wigan,” 62-year-old Noble said.
“Wigan showed all the values, the honesty, the integrity, the guts you can’t measure in rugby league.
“They made that decision the minute he [Ellis] was sent off that we’re still going to win this game.
“Wigan got better and grew. They just stuck to their system which was fantastically simple on a day like today.
“Warrington just brain exploded on every occasion they possibly could in trying to get to the other end with a flash play.
“They needed to replicate what Wigan were doing, just to get to the other end of the field, where their prowess alone and Williams’ kicking game would have got them some points and probably the win.”
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