They take their rugby league in Wigan severely. Very severely. A lot so, it’s one of many few cities within the nation which is taken into account rugby league first and soccer second.
We arrived on the floor a little bit beneath two hours earlier than kick-off and the crowds have been very wholesome outdoors the DW Stadium. In reality, this match has been bought out for weeks, which works to point out how necessary it’s to the native followers. You’ll be able to inform they’re proper up for this as a result of each time a Penrith participant was launched earlier than kick-off they have been roundly booed, not more than Nathan Cleary.
There’s a wholesome contingent of Panthers supporters who’ve travelled throughout from Australia, too, and even a few of the native youngsters have taken to sporting the colors of the chocolate troopers.
As for the climate? It’s bitterly chilly, which isn’t a shock actually. Though the solar did seem for many of the day, which has been a primary for the week. It’s solely 4 levels in the mean time.
Will it have an effect on the Panthers, who’ve simply come out of a gruelling pre-season in sizzling and humid Sydney situations?
A Wigan Warriors fan outdoors the DW Stadium.Credit score: Getty