How Sheffield Eagles toppled the mighty Wigan at Wembley

It was 22 years ago today that the South Yorkshire club produced what still remains the biggest upset in the famous competition’s long history.

For Shaw, though, the uncompromising forward who formed part of an all-Australian back-row in the Eagles side, it may as well have been yesterday.

There are numerous points of that glorious afternoon and the build-up beforehand that remain vividly clear, not least head coach Kear’s inspirational last team meeting with his squad.

“On the Friday, Keary spoke about what you could do for the person beside you,” Shaw Told The Yorkshire Post, from his home in Western Australia.

“What were you prepared to do for that bloke?

“We had a real good lead-up to the game, trained well and got to that stage where we all just sat around and looked at each other; we all had belief in one other.

“That was the biggest thing. The word’s probably been mentioned a million times before but it was all about that: belief.

“Ahead of the final, Keary told us no matter where we are in two, five, 10 or 20 years’ time we’ll always have that special bond with these people sat alongside us.

“He couldn’t have said anything more true. We’re 22 years on now and when we meet up and look at each other again, honestly it’s the best thing that ever happened.

“That has stuck in my mind and he was 100 per cent spot on with what he said.”

It was, of course, Sheffield’s maiden visit to Wembley and it was also only their third season in the top flight.

Compare that to the illustrious Wigan, who had won the Challenge Cup for eight successive years up to 1995, dominated the league and had Jason Robinson, Henry Paul and Andy Farrell in their star-studded line-up, and it was understandable why no one gave the Eagles a chance.

Nevertheless, with a fine performance full of confidence, character and even a little swagger, they came away with a thoroughly-deserved 17-8 that rocked everyone in the rugby league world, apart from those within the Don Valley club itself.

Scrum-half Mark Aston won the Lance Todd Trophy with a masterly display, kicking wonderfully to consistently apply pressure on Wigan, while wingers Nick Pinkney and Matty Crowther scored tries along with Darren Turner.

Shaw, 48, recalled: “We were pretty dominant from the off.

“Faz (Farrell) had a disallowed try but that was it. Wigan had a little spell and they were never going to go away but we kept repelling them and kept turning up which is a real positive.

“It’s still very special looking back. The balance of that side was really good and that was key.

“We had two really good props with Beans (Paul Broadbent) and big Dale (Laughton) up front who just led and got us on the front foot every week pretty much.

“Johnny Lawless always did a great job at hooker, then Rocky Turner would come on and replace him.

“We had Jacko (Michael Jackson) off the bench – a real strike player and very dynamic – Tubs (Aston) in the halves who just controlled things and had that great kicking game.

“Then there was Dave Watson at five-eighth who would just play off the cuff and play what he saw.

“He could do anything but he was as tough as nails as well and would just run into forward after forward.

“It wasn’t his job but he loved it and when you saw him do that, you just wanted to follow him.

“He was a really good leader in that regard.

“Keith (Senior) was just starting out at centre and was still quite young but still very dominant and then we had Waisale (Sovatabua) at full-back who was like an extra forward coming out from there.”

Shaw had joined from London Broncos and – after the ill-fated merger with Huddersfield – would go on to enjoy an excellent spell with Castleford Tigers.

He also played at Salford and then with Rochdale Hornets before moving into the coaching ranks at Leigh and returning to Rochdale. Shaw returned home in 2011 but said: “There’s a few of us from Eagles over here in Oz.

“Rod Doyle is back here and Martyn Wood emigrated out here as well.

“He only lives about an hour up the road from me, and we get together for a bit of an annual reunion.

“It was great in 2017 at the World Cup when a few more of the guys were over – Keary, Johnny Lawless, Rocky Turner, Matty Crowther...

“We all got on really well in ‘98.

“Everyone enjoyed each other’s company. The result that day came from that and nothing’s changed even now, just like Keary said.”

Sheffield Eagles duo back down under

Strangely, two of Sheffield Eagles’ 1998 Challenge Cup winning side have ended up coaching the same amateur team in Perth, Australia.

Darren Shaw is currently in charge of Rockingham Sharks although that is not necessarily too unusual given he moved home to Australia in 2011.

However, two years before he did so, Yorkshireman Martyn Wood emigrated to the same area.

The Keighley Cougars legend, who hails from Sharlston, came off the bench to help Sheffield beat Wigan at Wembley.

He played his part in another Cup shock, too, when he returned to amateur club Sharlston Rovers and they beat Dewsbury Rams in 2004.

“I do see him a bit and it is a coincidence that he ended up coaching one of the amateur clubs over here and I’m now coaching them,” said Shaw.

“I live at Bunbury about 200 kilometres south of Perth.

“Rockingham is the nearest club to me but it is about 100 kilometres away so I do a 200 kilometres round trip twice a week to go training.

“That makes sense doesn’t it!? It’s only amateur as well like Leigh East and Leigh Miners. But they enjoy their footy the same as me. I’ve still got that passion for it.”

Shaw added: “I loved my time in the UK. I was due back over last year but had a family issue so we had to cancel.

“We’re booked in September for three weeks but now there’s Covid-19. Hopefully we’ll get back and we can catch up with some friends.”

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