LONDON: Wigan beat Hull KR 9-2 in the Super League Grand Final yesterday (Oct 13) as the history-making Warriors became the first club to win all four major titles in one season.
Bevan French's first-half try, two kicks from Adam Keighran and a Harry Smith drop-goal pushed Matt Peet's side to a bruising victory at Old Trafford.
The win means Wigan end the season with the World Club Challenge, Challenge Cup, League Leaders' Shield and Grand Final trophies.
Hull KR, targeting their first domestic title in four decades, were far from over-awed in their first Grand Final appearance.
But they were unable to crack a resolute Wigan defence and had only a Mikey Lewis penalty to show for their efforts.
Peet revealed Wigan's success was partly inspired by a motivational team-talk from former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson.
Ferguson famously led United to a Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup treble in 1999.
"We just thought we were on the verge of something similar to when United won the treble, so we reached out through a mutual friend," Peet said.
"With his mentality, we thought he would be the perfect person. It was epic, as you can imagine. We were hung on his every word."
In front of 68,173 -- the biggest Grand Final crowd since 2017 -- French delivered the sole try of the game when he wriggled through a gap and evaded a diving Niall Evalds to cross in the 23rd minute.
"I love him to bits," Peet said of French. "I see what he does on a daily basis. He does so much.
"He deserves all the credit he gets but there are some fantastic players among this group."
Wigan captain Liam Farrell, who started after shrugging off the virus that ruled him out of the semi-finals, thought he had extended his side's lead shortly after the opener but his touch down in the corner was denied for offside.
Rovers wasted two golden chances to claw back within minutes of the restart, Evalds failing to find the decisive pass to send Joe Burgess clear on the left before one pass too many saw Ryan Hall held up in the opposite corner.
Hull KR got their first points on the board through a Lewis penalty but the newly-crowned Man of Steel's tip tackle on Farrell allowed Keighran to swiftly restore Wigan's seven-point lead as the Warriors marched towards history.