BY JOHN DAVIDSON
“In a world full of adversity, we must still dare to dream.”
Wigan won the 2024 Challenge Cup final today. Tries were scored, tackles were made, yellow cards were given out, and blood and sweat was spilled.
But after the circumstances of the past week, and the tragic passing of Rob Burrow, what happened on a pitch with 34 men in London doesn’t seem to really matter all that much.
Today at Wembley was about more than just a game of rugby league, a match of two teams and of points, kicks, play the balls and conversions.
It was about life, it was about family and it was about emotion.
A community came together to celebrate one of its own, one of its heroes, one of the greatest.
Many around the world know the name of Rob Burrow because of his work in MND. But those in rugby league, the sport he loved and was born into, have long cherished the little, courageous number 7.
He was one of our own.
Made and defined by rugby league, he has become one of our best-ever products.
The Challenge Cup final was not a day of mourning at Wembley this year, but one of real celebration, proper tribute and remembrance.
Burrow may have passed before his time, but he had such a rich life worthy of honoring. We celebrate not only his indomitable spirit and unique bravery, but his lasting, powerful message that “every single day is precious. Don’t waste a moment”.
None of us will live forever and one day we will all be gone. But, like Rob did, we must try and make the most of our brief time on this Earth.
The human spirit is a remarkable thing and perhaps no one has personified that more in recent times than Burrow and his beautiful family. The courage, the decency, the modesty, the selflessness.
Burrow had a generous, mischievous nature and few sports can be as tribal as rugby league. But the way the whole code has combined and honoured Burrow, regardless of club loyalty or rivalry, has been uplifting and nourishing in the past week.
No matter who you support – Leeds, Wigan, Cronulla, NSW, New Zealand, Hunslet, South Sydney, Sheffield – a community was fully united for Burrow and his family.
After the minutes silence had been carried out, proceedings on the pitch kicked off at the special time of 3.07pm.
Controversy crept in after barely two minutes when Mike Cooper was marched for 10 minutes for a shot to the head of a slipping Josh Thewlis. Emotions ran high on the next set when an all-in push and shove started.
Matty Dufty had caught Liam Marshall high and Wigan fans screamed for a card.
They got it, with two sin-binnings in the space of a madcap opening three minutes.
Warrington edged ahead in the eighth minute with a penalty goal, but Zach Eckersley struck back with a try from a Bevan French grubber kick eight minutes later.
It was perhaps somewhat poignant that French, who sadly lost his mother to MND a few years ago, then starred with a sizzling solo try to make it 12-2 to Wigan. A try assist and a try for the Aussie flyer in the space of six special minutes.
The errors from the Wolves mounted up as a brutish Wigan heaped more and more pressure on them.
On the stroke of half-time French almost had a second try, another sensational solo effort, but it was chalked off by the video referee.
Warrington were in a hole in the second half. They tried to dig themselves out but it was not to be.
Liam Farrell dived over in the 56th minute to seal the victory. Wigan’s defence was suffocating and the way they carried the ball, with such energy and power, was impressive.
Dufty slid over with 16 minutes left to give the Wire a sliver hope. However, it was a mere sting in the tail for the Cherry & Whites.
The history books will tell us that Wigan won the 2024 final, Peet’s all-conquering men added more silverware and the Warriors have a history-making 21st Challenge Cup in their cabinet – more than any other club. They are a special outfit.
But, again, that is not what was most important today.
What is most important is family, friends and living with no regrets. Look after each other, be kind and squeeze every last ounce possible out of this existence called life. Learn from Rob Burrow.
“In a world full of adversity, we must still dare to dream.”
