Wigan’s playoff win overshadowed by death of Terry Newton
The jubilation caused by the success of Wigan’s semi-final play-off victory was overshadowed by the death of their former player Terry Newton (pictured right), who was found hanged at home in Manchester last night.
Newton, who made 186 appearances for the Warriors during a five-year stint with the club, was serving a two-year ban from rugby for using performance-enhancing drugs while playing for the Wakefield Wildcats. He had been receiving treatment for depression following the death of his younger sister last year, but few people saw this coming.
The news has come as a massive shock to the rugby league world, as many people, including England International Sean Long, had believed that Newton was happy with his life outside rugby, owning a pub in the Manchester area with his father.
However, he had posted an apparent suicide note on his Facebook page in the early hours. It read: "Luv u all but end time xxxx"
Wigan chairman Ian Lenagan, who had been celebrating his side’s 6-26 victory over the Leeds Rhinos to make Saturday’ Super League Grand Final, has spoken out on the tragic loss of his former player.
A statement on the club’s website read: “Everyone at the Club is devastated by the news and we would like to pass on our deepest condolences to Terry's family and friends at this time. Terry will be remembered as a great player of this Club and Rugby League in general and he was a larger than life character."
Wigan’s win has been put in perspective, but it was a massively impressive performance to see of the current Super League champions to reach their first final for seven years. The League Shield winners’ victory was owing to a scintillating second half performance where they racked up 18 points without conceding. Leeds battled hard, but had to take their hats off to their opponents who outplayed them in every department and richly deserved their place at Old Trafford.
Coach Michael Maguire, who got his tactics spot on by focusing on his side’s defensive game, hailed his troops team spirit in the wake of the victory.
"They made sure they covered each other's back and it showed in the scoreline,” Maguire told Skysports.
“Leeds are a team that never go away but our players were prepared to get off the ground and work hard. It was a great day for the players and the supporters. I was very proud of the boys. It was tough encounter and the first half we really had to battle.
“We are really looking forward to an enjoyable week and focusing on what needs to be done throughout the week and getting the right performance on Saturday."
Wigan will face St Helens in Saturday’s final after the Merseysiders gave Knowsley Road a perfect send off by beating Huddersfield 42-22 at the last game to be played at the famous old stadium.
The script writers were at it again as Kieren Cunningham scored the final try ever to be scored at the ground, a fitting end to an illustrious career at Knowsley Road for the hooker who is set to retire at the end of the season.
“I wanted to leave a legacy and I think I've done that,” Cunningham told the BBC.
"I'm happy to go out with a bang. It's been a fantastic last few weeks. I want to be missed. I can't remember the last time I scored in three games in a row, I feel like I'm 18 again.
"It was a fitting finish for me to get that final try and it will be nice to look back on."
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