It was a semi-final that had it all: hard-hitting rugby, controversy and a late dash of attempted heroics. It started as expected with two big packs going at each other, the likes of Keenan Palasia and Ben Currie standing up for their sides as they have all season. It hit the crunch point with 14 minutes remaining when James McDonnell was penalised for an escort on George Williams.
In truth, it looked like Williams ran into the Leeds man's line, but even with a Captain's Challenge the decision was upheld. That allowed Ewan Irwin to break the deadlock and send over the two points that sealed Warrington's spot in the Grand Final for the first time in eight years. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Whether it was a penalty or not will be debated and discussed.
For Leeds Rhinos head coach Brad Arthue it is not the type of decision that should be deciding a semi-final. I'm extremely proud of the boys," Arthur told Sky Sports. "Everything that could go wrong probably did this week.
But we didn't use it as an excuse. "We fought really hard, and I'm really disappointed. I feel like the game has been decided by a really tough penalty.
"That penalty should not be deciding a game of that magnitude. "There was plenty of fight, but in the end it wasn't enough. The only thing we could control was our attitude, and ours was excellent.
"We didn't want it to end this way. It would have been nice to let the two teams decide the result I reckon." "I don't want McDonnell wearing that because he did nothing wrong," Arthur later added. Was there even enough contact to knock Williams over?
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