Panthers called out over ‘dreadful’ display amid World Club Challenge curse

The Penrith Panthers are the kings of the NRL but they were given a harsh reality check with a poor display in a rare loss in England.

Penrith lost to Wigan in the World Cup Club Challenge.

Despite a shocking referee decision, the verdict is in and it seems Penrith simply didn’t deserve to win rugby league’s World Club Challenge against Wigan on the weekend.

In the traditional clash between the NRL and Super League premiers, the Panthers went down 16-12 to Wigan but were on the wrong end of three tough calls.

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They included a howler to award Jake Wardle a second-half try even though he appeared a foot short of the line.

The visitors were also penalised for a Liam Martin strip even though he was the only person in the tackle, while Taylan May was denied a late try that would have tied things up with the final play of the game.

NRL head of football Graham Annesley said the review process let down the officials.

“I know the Super League doesn’t have the same technology that we have, but I think the fact that the referee called it a try on the field and then the Bunker had to find evidence to overrule it is what potentially caused the issue,” Annesley said.

“I think the need to find sufficient evidence to overrule that decision is what led to yesterday’s issue.”

The Wigan Warriors got bragging rights over the Panthers. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)

But despite the questionable calls, rugby league fans believe Penrith didn’t do enough to capitalise on their possession down Wigan’s end of the field.

“All that ball and only 12 points panthers only have themselves to blame never mind blaming some of the calls,” one fan wrote on X with a violin emoji.

A second wrote: “The Panthers fifth tackle options have been dreadful.”

“There’s going to be controversial decisions whether the game is played in England or Australia,” another posted.

“The Panthers are their own worst enemy for placing themselves in that position. They’ve lost all World Club Challenge games they’ve played. It says to me that they’re not good enough!”

Another viewer said: “Panthers were not good enough it’s that simple. They had enough ball to score more than two tries. That’s where the focus should be.”

The Panthers weren’t at their best in attack. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said his side’s attack was “clunky” and their leaky defence let Wigan score fairly easily.

“Our attack was a little clunky at times, which is not surprising, the first game of the season and quite a few different combinations as well,” he said.

“In three trips in our end, they scored three tries, which is something we don’t pride ourselves on. They took their chances and we didn’t and congratulations to Wigan for doing that.”

Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary agreed Wigan were fare more clinical in attack than Penrith.

“That’s the thing about this particular competition, we get to see the best teams together, and Wigan were too good tonight,” Cleary told Sky Sports after the loss.

“We didn’t execute as well as they did. They had three opportunities and scored three tries and that was the difference. They executed better than us and maybe that was enough.”

The Panthers haven’t won a World Club Challenge yet. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

It’s rare to see Penrith lose a big game and the tough loss means the Panthers are yet to win the World Club Challenge trophy from four attempts in the club’s history.

The pandemic meant the 2022 World Club Challenge match was cancelled, while Penrith lost last year’s clash 13-12 to St Helens in a thriller at Panthers Stadium.

Penrith will be aiming to become the first side since St George in the 1960s and they’ll have to do it without Stephen Crichton, who has moved to the Bulldogs after scoring tries in the last four NRL Grand Finals.

Originally published as Panthers called out over ‘dreadful’ display amid World Club Challenge curse