Super League: Wigan Warriors 0-1 Leigh Leopards - Gareth O'Brien settles historic game - Voice of Asia

In the opening match of the 2025 Super League season, Leigh triumphed over the reigning champions, Wigan Warriors, in a golden point extra time victory. Notably, this marked the first 0-0 draw in the 29-year history of the Super League for both teams.

Gareth O'Brien slotted over the winning drop goal three minutes into extra time, ensuring that Wigan, last season's quadruple winners, began their new campaign with a loss. The physical contest saw both sides display outstanding defensive discipline, with neither team able to break the deadlock during the 80-minute war of attrition.

O'Brien's point sparked mass celebrations for Leigh and secured their first win at Wigan since 1983. A grand atmosphere was created for the Super League season opener with live music from The Lathums, a pyrotechnic display, and legendary boxing announcer Michael Buffer welcoming the teams onto the pitch before the game. However, the subsequent match, while lacking in scores, was not short of effort, brilliant defense, and late drama.

Leigh put in a strong defensive performance, preventing Wigan's Jake Wardle and Tiaki Chan from crossing the line. Wigan's Jai Field had a try disallowed midway through the second half by video referee Jack Smith for an earlier illegal tackle. At the other end, up against a Wigan side that had not conceded a point in their last four games of the previous season, winter signing David Armstrong could not find a Leigh teammate after breaking free from three Wigan defenders.

As the game neared its conclusion, Leopards' half-back Lachlan Lam leapt high near his own goalpost to collect a high kick from Harry Smith, which looked destined for the onrushing Bevan French. Lam was then dangerously tackled by Adam Keighran, resulting in the Wigan centre being sent to the sin bin. Facing 12 men, Leigh successfully defended Wigan's first set in extra time before O'Brien stepped up to slot the decisive drop goal.

Wigan captain Liam Farrell, who was also shown a yellow card earlier in the match, created a moment of Super League history early in the second half. A new rule for this season allows captains to challenge certain on-field decisions made by the referee. Farrell appealed against a penalty awarded to Leigh for an illegal tackle by Liam Moore, but it was rejected after a video replay.

Wigan head coach Matt Peet told BBC Radio Manchester: "I hope this game is talked about for years to come, and credit to Leigh - they didn't come here to fluke or steal it, they earned that win, they deserved it. The pre-match atmosphere was great, full of energy and excitement, which was exciting for the full house. The game was brilliant too. I've been involved in a lot of play-off games and finals and it had that feel, you were just waiting for a mistake or a call. It's a high starting point."

Leigh head coach Adrian Lam told BBC Radio Manchester: "To win 1-0 is a bit unbelievable, but I'll take it. When you have a lot of new players in your squad and you've got four or five debutants, there's uncertainty and anxiety about how we are going to perform. What I wanted to see from the team was that they stuck together and that they had resilience - and I saw plenty of that. I'm really pleased. If Wigan had won 1-0 I would have been just as happy because it's going to take some time to build this team, and I'm looking forward to the journey."

Wigan Team: Field; Eckersley, Keighran, Wardle, Marshall; French, Smith; Byrne, Leeming, Thompson, Nsemba, Farrell, Ellis. Substitutes: Mago, Dupree, Hill, Forber.

Leigh Team: Armstrong; Brander, Niu, Hanley, Charnley; O'Brien, Lam; Trout, Dwyer, Mulhern, Halton, O'Donnell, Lui. Substitutes: Ipape, Hughes, Tuitavake, Davis.

Referee: Liam Moore.