Wigan fans give Penrith Panthers stars early morning wake-up call by setting off fireworks outside hotel

Penrith Panthers stars were given a rude awakening by Wigan fans ahead of their World Club Challenge match with a fireworks display outside their hotel in the early hours.

Wigan overcame Penrith with a thrilling and controversial 16-12 victory over the three-time NRL premiers on Sunday morning.

However, some players may have been short on sleep after images emerged on social media of a person outside the Panther Hotel setting off fireworks in the early hours of Saturday (local time).

The clip was titled ‘Early wake-up call for the Penrith Panthers’ and some online football fans were outraged.

“Makes me want Penrith to win even more,” one X user responded.

‘Pathetic behavior, frankly!’ said another.

“It’s the only way Wigan can beat them,” said a third.

A controversial second-half try from Warriors center Jake Wardle and a brave defensive display sealed the hosts a record-equalling fifth title in a 16-12 victory, while again preventing the Panthers from completing his trophy case.

The Super League champions join the Sydney Roosters in winning five world titles.

It was the second year in a row that Penrith failed to add the world title to their NRL premiership, having lost a heartbreaking 13-12 to St Helens at home in 2023.

The Panthers will ask plenty of questions about Wardle’s bid to win the match at the sold-out DW Stadium, awarded despite the England international appearing to touch the ball well below the line.

A video review failed to overturn the on-field try decision, with replays of the apparent fall obscured by the bodies of Penrith duo Brian To’o and Dylan Edwards as they made desperate tackles.

To make matters worse for Penrith, center Taylan May touched down for what would have been a dramatic equalizer with a thrilling effort on the final play of the match, but inconclusive evidence meant the on-field decision not to try stood.

It was far from the Panthers’ best performance, making six errors in 25 minutes after they fell behind as their attack struggled to click.

The NRL champions took time to find their rhythm and struggled from the start to find the right option in the final tackle plays, held without a kick in four sets in the first 20 minutes as they failed to capitalize on the dominance territorial.

Instead it was former Parramatta talent and Wigan five-eighth Bevan French who made the killer plays with some delightful passes.

He created the first points of the match with a double cut ball for winger Abbas Miski, while another pass helped former Gold Coast forward Kruise Leeming beat to give the hosts a 10-6 lead.

Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary got his team on the board, scoring after Miski failed to handle his own kick, while number one Dylan Edwards gave them the lead at half-time with a quick run from close range which opened a hole in Wigan. defending.

Coupled with his last-gasp effort, May had the best chance to steal victory late on with a sizzling line break, only for a brilliant cover tackle from Wigan No.1 Jai Field to drag him into touch.

Penrith finished without winger Sunia Turuva, who landed awkwardly on her knee after jumping to try to avoid a dead kick.