Ruthless Wigan ran in seven tries to humiliate Hull KR and book their place in the Betfred Challenge Cup final.
Matt Peet’s side were beaten in golden point by the same opponents in last year’s semi-final and many expected a similar titanic tussle here. But error-prone Rovers failed to show up and classy Wigan, with full-back Jai Field dazzling and teenage forward Junior Nsemba immense up front, delivered a masterclass in Doncaster. Winger Abbas Miski (2), centre Jake Wardle (2), Nsemba plus England duo Harry Smith and Tyler Dupree all crossed for the Super League champions in a 38-6 triumph.
Wigan were 24-0 ahead by the break and never in danger of missing out on Wembley. They will face the winners of tomorrow’s semi-final between Warrington and Huddersfield. But KR, who lost to Leigh at Wembley last year, never gave themselves a chance against the record 20-times Cup winners, delivering one of their worst performances of the year.
Wardle went over as early as the fourth minute but no one could have predicted the carnage they would create. Peet’s side did a great job keeping Mikey Lewis busy, giant second-row Nsemba continually running at the diminutive England scrum-half. It was after one of the teenage forward’s charging runs that Bevan French lofted a lovely pinpoint chip over Ryan Hall’s head for Miski to score on 15 minutes.
Lewis tried to respond with a chip and chase of his own but the ball agonisingly ran dead. And with his side making unforced errors galore they weren’t able to build any pressure. Nsemba grabbed Wigan’s third try off England scrum-half Smith’s short pass after Niall Evalds had dropped Smith’s high kick. Ryan Hall almost responded for Rovers but the veteran England winger couldn’t ground correctly after Adam Keighran, Miski and the ever-dangerous full-back Field exerted just enough pressure in the corner.
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Embarrassed Joe Burgess inexplicably fumbled Wardle’s grubber to gift Miski his second try on 34 minutes. And in the restart set, Burgess and KR’s right-edge defence disappeared to allow Liam Marshall to race clear and dab infield for Smith to score himself. Rovers were fortunate Smith slotted only one of his initial four conversion attempts, Keighran taking over to make it 24-0 at the break.
Wigan captain Liam Farrell celebrates with try-scorer Harry Smith against Hull KR (PA)Keighran then slotted a penalty to extend Wigan’s lead. But Rovers did at least avoid being nilled when an audacious Lewis flick pass saw Burgess cross on 50 minutes. But Hall and Lewis left the restart to each other - and it bounced into touch, summing up Rovers’ dismal day.
Even more embarrassing was their goalline defence as Dupree bundled over. Ex-Leeds forward Sam Walters came on for his long-awaited Wigan debut. He’s been out with a broken collarbone since his winter move from Headingley. Rovers centre Tom Opacic was sin-binned for lashing out on Keighran who also saw yellow as a melee ensued in the 64th minute.
Wigan's Jai Field is grounded for once by Hull KR (PA)But it didn’t stop Wigan who saw Wardle get his second after Field again put Miski clear, Smith rounding things off with his last goal in front of a crowd of 11,163.
* Holders St Helens reached a fourth successive women’s Challenge Cup final with a 32-2 rout of York and will face the winners of today’s semi-final between Leeds and Wigan.
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