Michael Buffer had no idea they would take him so literally.
Super League’s opening night was full of surprises - and not just because Las Vegas-bound Wigan were toppled by local rivals Leigh who scored their first win in the town for 42 years.
Boxing icon Buffer was probably back in his Manchester hotel room after delivering his trademark ‘rumble’ line before kick-off at The Brick Community Stadium when Gareth O’Brien booted an 83rd-minute field goal to give Adrian Lam’s Leopards a gripping 1-0 golden point win over the champions.
It was the first 0-0 draw at the end of regulation time and 1-0 result in the history of Super League and the first in the British top flight this century.
We saw the first captain's challenges - both unsuccessful - in the British game and the biggest opening night crowd, 21,748. Then there was a delayed start to extra time due to a clock malfunction.
Jai Field had a try disallowed by the video referee and two Wigan players, Liam Farrell (professional foul) and Adam Keighran (high tackle) were sent the sin bin, leaving Wigan short-handed during golden point.
Rob Gronkowski: Rugby League Expert
Rob Gronkowski: Rugby League Expert
If Keighran is charged over the high shot late in regulation time, his trip to Las Vegas is in doubt.
“Weirdly, I hope the game gets the credit it deserves,” said Wigan coach Matty Peet. “I don’t know what everyone’s take on it (was) but I thought it was high level tense, physical…
“The highlight reel won’t be very long but when there’s so much talent on the field and threat, for not a lot to happen for large periods, a lot of people are doing things right and working hard for one another on both teams.
“A stray word here and there could undersell that game and it deserves to be … I’ve been involved in games where we’ve won by 40, 50, 60 and they were non-events. That was a fascinating spectacle. There’s two sets of blokes who deserve loads of credit.”
For former Wigan coach Lam, it was a triumph but added: “I’m not a big supporter of golden point, to be honest with you.
“I think when you play like that, I think both teams deserve a point, I really do. I don’t think… if I was on the other end I would have been pretty disappointed.
“Wigan are the only team we haven’t beaten since promotion back into Super League.
“There’s no better exposure to the country or the world really because we’re the only game playing tonight around the world. There was a finals feel to it.
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Footy field vs the Octagon
“When you’ve got so many players coming into your squad and I think four or five making their debut… to be honest, before the game I was uncertain about what was going to happen tonight.”
Referring to Newcastle Knights import David Armstrong, Peet said: “I thought Davey was going to get bashed up a little bit today and I secretly sort of enjoy that because I wanted him to feel that and then from that you develop, you get confidence and you grow.
“He showed some nice little touches - and got bashed so I think there’s a nice little package for him to work off.”
Lam said the Leopards were denied a captain’s challenge because referee Liam Moore said the request came from the bench.
Peet’s only comment on the clock malfunction was “we’re all rusty, aren’t we?”
