Super League created history by holding its first game outside Europe, with Wigan the winners as they extended their unbeaten start to the season in the New South Wales city of Wollongong.
In a landmark move for the competition, a crowd of more than 12,000 gathered at WIN Stadium to see Wigan make it two wins from two in 2018. Second-half tries from Ryan Sutton and Ben Flower secured victory, though their task was undoubtedly aided by injuries to key Hull players. At one point, the Black and Whites were left with one fit replacement after their captain, Danny Houghton, Bureta Faraimo and Mark Minichiello all withdrew.
Minichiello would return in the second half but, by then, the lack of fit bodies at Lee Radford’s disposal already had taken its toll. To their credit, Hull produced a remarkable effort to remain in the contest until the final quarter.
Wigan led 10-0 courtesy of two tries by Liam Marshall, before Hull fought back to level the scores via Jordan Abdull and Fetuli Talanoa. A Sam Tomkins penalty on the stroke of half-time put Wigan back ahead, a lead they did not surrender.
Sutton asserted Wigan’s advantage seven minutes after the break to put them eight points ahead and Flower powered over late on.
Both now travel to Sydney with Wigan playing against South Sydney and Hull facing St George‑Illawarra on Saturday in a double-header.
