Paul Gallen: Losing to Wigan in World Club Challenge still eats at me
Cronulla Sharks legend Paul Gallen says their World Club Challenge defeat to Wigan was one of the most physical matches he’s ever played in.
The Sharks went down to a 22-6 defeat against the Warriors at the DW Stadium in 2017.
Gallen won the NRL with Cronulla the year prior to the World Club Challenge – but he admitted he was gutted not to have won a World Club Challenge in his career.
In his Heart and Soul autobiography, Gallen wrote: “Our loss to Wigan in the World Club Challenge still eats at me.
“It’s the only trophy in my entire career that I was never able to hold aloft. The trip itself was fantastic and a huge moment for the club, as it was our first trip to the United Kingdom.
“In typically testing north of England conditions – slippery under foot, wet and cold – Wigan played to their strengths, beating us 22-6. In the aftermath, Sharks fans made a lot of the refereeing performance. And sure, if a few calls had gone our way, it could’ve been a different story – but we simply weren’t good enough on the day.
“I rate that match against Wigan as one of the most physical and intense matches that I have ever played in.”
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