Wigan’s Morgan Smithies admits he was “dumb” cleaning out Huddersfield’s Ricky Leutele but insisted: “The main thing is I didn’t get sent off.” The loose forward helped Warriors win the Betfred Challenge Cup for the first time since 2013 after Saturday’s dramatic 16-14 success at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
But hot-headed Smithies could have cost them victory with TWO swinging arm high tackles. Wigan were 12-10 ahead when he whacked Joe Greenwood in the 49th minute but Tui Lolohea missed the 40m penalty from in front.
However, just eight minutes later, Smithies caught Ricky Leutele with another rash shot which left Giants furious. He was spoken to by referee James Child but escaped a card when everyone expected the Halifax-born player to at least be shown yellow.
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Huddersfield went in front from the resultant penalty when Jermaine McGillvary scored in the corner. But Wigan broke Giants’ hearts - denying them a first Cup win since 1953 - when Liam Marshall grabbed a 77th minute winning try.
Asked if he thought he would be marched after the second offence, Smithies insisted: “It wasn’t intentional.
“It was just a bit dumb. It was a dumb play. I’ll learn my lesson and won’t be doing that again.
“I wasn’t too nervous (about being carded). It was a bit in the moment. I didn’t get sent off. So that’s the main thing.”
Huddersfield boss Ian Watson said he was expecting more punishment and felt it was a “deciding” moment in a contest where his side had largely been on top. But it was Wigan who were left basking in glory.
It was Smithies’ first major trophy and the 21 year-old said: “I can’t really put it into words.
“All I want to do is win. That’s why I play the game. I love winning. To win is massive.
“It’s the best feeling I’ve ever had on a rugby pitch (when Marshall scored). To win the Cup is all I ever dreamed of as a young kid so to go out there and do it is massive.”
Huddersfield looked like they might hold on for victory until Marshall’s late blast. But Smithies always knew his side - who won the Cup for a record-extending 20th time - would get another chance.
“I always believe in this team with the players around me, 100 per cent,” he said. "From Faz (Liam Farrell), Jai (Field) all the players. I always have the belief we can do something and it’s never over whatever time of game.”
Forwards such as experienced Willie Isa plus Ollie Partington and Jake Shorrocks - who have each clocked up plenty of games this term - all missed out on selection as Wiganer Peet picked up his first trophy in his first season as a head coach.
But Smithies repaid Peet’s faith in him and said: “That competition for places has brought the best out of me this season.
“I’ve really tried to knuckle down and improve my performance every single week. I’m just buzzing. Buzzing.
“It was a tough game. There’s plenty to build on. It was probably the worst performance we’ve had all year. But somehow we’ve managed to get the win.”
