Saturday 30 July 2016 10:04, UK
Hull FC coach Lee Radford urged his team to go on to break their Wembley duck after overcoming Wigan 16-12 in their Challenge Cup semi-final at the Keepmoat Stadium.
The Black and Whites trailed to an early George Williams try, but turned Friday night's game on its head with two quick-fire tries from wingers Steve Michaels and Fetuli Talanoa early in the second half and held off a late Wigan onslaught to clinch their 16th final appearance.
Hull, who will play Warrington or Wakefield in the final, have won the Cup three times but never at Wembley, where they have suffered the agony of eight defeats, and Radford says they are desperate to end their hoodoo.
We're desperate to right 115 years of wrongs. I can't tell you how much that would mean.
"We knew the magnitude of what was at stake," he said. "We're reminded that we've never been to the nation's capital and got a result, but it's achievable with this group, that's for sure.
"I've been there and lost twice with this team and for us it's about going there and getting a result.
"We're desperate to right 115 years of wrongs. I can't tell you how much that would mean."
Trailing 8-2 early in the second half, Hull looked to have seized control when Marc Sneyd kicked a long-range penalty, to add to two superb touchline conversions, to make it 16-8 but they were forced to endure a tense finish after second rower Willie Isa went over for Wigan's second try 10 minutes from the end.
"I had an inkling they would find their way back into the game," said Radford. "They are that type of team, I had a feeling there would be a two-point margin. It was a real arm wrestle.
"The game was about effort and grit. In the two previous rounds, there was some quality but tonight was all about winning."
Hull were indebted to the kicking game of Sneyd and the inspirational play of captain Gareth Ellis, who could not hide his delight at the prospect of leading his team out at Wembley for the second time in four years.
"I'm very proud of the effort of the boys tonight," said Ellis. "There were moments when we could easily have given in, but we kept turning up for each other.
"A tough side like Wigan test you physically and mentally and I'm very grateful to come out with the right result."
Hull had centre Mahe Fonua carried off on a stretcher following a lengthy delay for treatment on the pitch.
"I think he's OK," Radford said. "He stiffened up straight after concussion which is never a good sign but I think he'll be all right."
Wigan coach Shaun Wane said his players were devastated, but he had no complaints about the result.
"I'm very proud," he said. "I thought the best team won but they know they've been in a game.
"We did that much defending, you can't turn the ball over on play one and two against a team as good as Hull.
"I thought we had fixed it up at half-time, but we didn't and when we got the ball, we weren't crisp enough or smart enough with it.
"The effort and toughness to stay in that game was outstanding. It was two tries apiece against a team at full strength. I thought we had done enough and it would have been a memorable win."
Wigan, who finished third at the end of the regular 23-game season, will now attempt to regroup for a push for the Grand Final.
"I've never seen them as hurt as they are now," Wane added. "They are absolutely devastated but we'll use this as a real strength for the games coming up."
