Wigan Warriors 22 St Helens 10: Maguire seeks new era of dominance

While Wigan's victorious players will today embark on their traditional Mad Monday ritual of drinking every bar dry, this year having earned the end-of-season party as Super League champions for the first time since 1998, there is no doubt the visionary man behind their long-awaited return to glory will already be plotting their next conquest.

It is a mark of Michael Maguire's famed fastidious nature, the attention to detail that has turned nearly men into achievers, that he will surely have broken away from their celebrations and had one eye on yesterday's NRL Grand Final.

St George's Illawarra's 32-8 destruction of Sydney Roosters means the little-known assistant who arrived in England from Melbourne Storm less than 12 months ago will soon be taking his newly-crowned kings into battle in a World Club Challenge against the greatest coach of the modern era – Wayne Bennett.

Given the manner in which Maguire has asserted himself during his first season in charge at Wigan, few would bet against the Australian masterminding another success when they meet, almost certainly at DW Stadium on February 27.

By then, the talented squad that vanquished St Helens – the scoreline did not do Wigan justice given the utterly convincing manner in which they dissected their fierce rivals on Saturday night – will have been augmented by the arrival of three of Maguire's former Storm foot soldiers.

The forceful pack that terrorised Saints into submission is to be bolstered by Kiwi international prop Jeff Lima and Australian Test second-row Ryan Hoffman.

Wigan's creative options, so boundless with the effervescent Sam Tomkins, ageless Paul Deacon and Harry Sunderland Trophy winner Thomas Leuluai, will be enhanced further by New South Wales State of Origin half-back Brett Finch, one of the most gifted playmakers in the NRL.

Given such assets, it is easy to see why there is every belief Wigan, having won their first major trophy since the 2002 Challenge Cup, could be about to start up a whole new dynasty, not to the extent of their pre-Super League dominance but certainly one to be feared.

Once they had forced a 16-0 lead inside a blistering first quarter, courtesy of Martin Gleeson (2) and Darrell Goulding tries, two things were already certain at Old Trafford.

Firstly, league leaders Wigan were not going to suffer stage fright in their first Grand Final since 2003 and, secondly, Keiron Cunningham would have to somehow muster up the finest impact of his distinguished career in his second spell on the field.

The retiring Saints captain, playing his 496th and final game for his beloved hometown club, had almost single-handedly carried them to this showpiece in recent weeks but when he departed after 20 minutes for his customary breather, there was already a realisation his fairytale ending would not be achieved.

Ruthless Wigan, so defensively stifling all season, would never allow such an advantage to slip and so it was when Cunningham returned in the second half even he could not spark the necessary re-action.

It should have been foreseen. Heartbroken Saints, now defeated in each of the last four finals, had failed to send fellow legends Paul Sculthorpe and Sean Long off in fitting style, and now the same goes for the 33 year-old and the departing Australian Matt Gidley.

Tomkins weaved his way over for his obligatory try and Wigan, who shrugged off the first half loss of Man of Steel Pat Richards with an Achilles injury, then tagged on a Mark Riddell penalty.

After Andrew Dixon's effort in the 27th minute, Saints finally struck again through Francis Meli with seven minutes to go bringing hope of one of their trademark scintillating finishes but, without the rapier thrust of absentees Leon Pryce and Kyle Eastmond, it was just too much to ask from Cunningham on his own.

The rain which had thwarted them against Leeds in each of the last three seasons held off but instead they were washed away by Leuluai and Deacon who kicked them out of the contest.

Steve McNamara, as Bradford coach, may have sanctioned Deacon's move from Odsal last winter but, in looking for a player to cover the expected loss of Eastmond and certain omission of Danny McGuire from the England Four Nations squad he names this morning, he could do much worse than calling on his former Bulls captain.

The 31-year-old may not have the pace to trouble Australia or New Zealand but his footballing brain is as sharp as ever and the scrum-half has been revitalised with his hometown club.

He had featured in five consecutive Grand Finals for Bradford and such experience was plain to see as, like putting on a favourite winter coat, he effortlessly strode back out on to the famous turf and seized control from the off with his stellar kicking and perfect distribution.

Deacon, who has not played internationally since suffering a life-threatening facial injury against the Kiwis in 2005, would be a perfect foil for the youthful exuberance of Tomkins and Gareth Widdop. Few would argue if he was a shock selection today.

St Helens: Wellens, Foster, Gidley, Meli, Lomax, Wilkin, Smith, Graham, Cunningham, Hargreaves, Soliola, Flannery, Puletua. Substitutes: Roby, Clough, Dixon, Emmitt.

Wigan Warriors: S. Tomkins, Goulding, Gleeson, Carmont, Richards, Deacon, Leuluai, Fielden, McIlorum, Coley, Hansen, J. Tomkins, S. O'Loughlin. Substitutes: Prescott, Riddell, Paleaaesina, Farrell.

Referee: R Silverwood (Dewsbury).

MATCH FOCUS

Hero: Thomas Leuluai

Just pipped fellow half-back Paul Deacon. A selfless performance, kicked impeccably and, while Saints worried about Sam Tomkins, the controlling Kiwi always posed his own striking threat. Deserved a try when held up by Jonny Lomax and Jon Wilkin.

Villain: James Graham

St Helens, already without two key performers, required their flame-haired prop to be at his roaring best but he was riled by Wigan's niggling tactics from an early stage and regularly lost his composure. Ill-discipline cost Saints and the Great Britain forward's dissent was just one sign of their growing frustration.

Key moment: 48th minute

Trailing 16-6, St Helens had already been let off further when Mark Riddell missed a simple penalty but had a glorious opportunity to hit back when Matty Smith found an on-rushing Jon Wilkin. However, the erring Great Britain star dropped his pass with the line begging and Wigan survived, crucially gaining the next score soon after.

Ref watch

Richard Silverwood: Awarded the final given his rating as the most consistent official throughout the year and did nothing to suggest otherwise during the 80 minutes.

Verdict

Focused Wigan started in commanding fashion and ultimately outclassed a disappointing St Helens side whose lack of creative half-back talent finally caught up with them. Wigan's drive, determination, efficiency and added pace was too much and, throughout the season and on the night, they were superior to everyone.

Quote of the day

I was left out once earlier in the season for something minor, just a speed bump really. But with this coach there are no speed bumps, just a clear highway and we are cruising along it.

– Wigan centre Martin Gleeson tries to explain the secret behind coach Michael Maguire's success.