Warrington Wolves beat Leeds Rhinos to reach Super League Grand Final: Should the 'soft' penalty that decided semi-final have stood?
Leeds Rhinos head coach Brad Arthur said the penalty that sent Warrington Wolves to the Super League Grand Final was 'soft'; watch Wigan Warriors vs Wakefield Trinity in the Super League semi-finals live on Sky Sports on Saturday September 26, with kick-off at 5.30pm
Friday 25 September 2026 23:34, UK
It was a semi-final that had it all: hard-hitting rugby, controversy and a late dash of attempted heroics.
It started as expected with two big packs going at each other, the likes of Keenan Palasia and Ben Currie standing up for their sides as they have all season.
It hit the crunch point with 14 minutes remaining when James McDonnell was penalised for an escort on George Williams. In truth, it looked like Williams ran into the Leeds man's line, but even with a Captain's Challenge the decision was upheld.
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That allowed Ewan Irwin to break the deadlock and send over the two points that sealed Warrington's spot in the Grand Final for the first time in eight years.
Whether it was a penalty or not will be debated and discussed. For Leeds Rhinos head coach Brad Arthue it is not the type of decision that should be deciding a semi-final.
"It's a tough loss. I'm extremely proud of the boys," Arthur told Sky Sports.
"Everything that could go wrong probably did this week. But we didn't use it as an excuse.
"We fought really hard, and I'm really disappointed. I feel like the game has been decided by a really tough penalty.
"That penalty should not be deciding a game of that magnitude.
"There was plenty of fight, but in the end it wasn't enough. The only thing we could control was our attitude, and ours was excellent.
"We didn't want it to end this way. It would have been nice to let the two teams decide the result I reckon."
"I don't want McDonnell wearing that because he did nothing wrong," Arthur later added.
"McDonnell's eyes were not on him."
Was there even enough contact to knock Williams over? Most say no. What is agreed on is that Williams "played the game" and got the reward.
"I don't think strictly that is a penalty. I don't think it is," said Sky Sports Rugby League's Jon Wilkin.
"I think James McDonnell is running back, looking where the ball is going, in line with the ball.
"He's not aware of where George Williams is, but George Williams knows where McDonnell is, let me tell you that.
"It is just such a softie, and there's not enough contact to knock George over.
"George's biggest contribution tonight in a poor performance for him was that. It's smart, it's experienced, and it won his side two points.
"In a game like this, Brad Arthur is right to some extent that it was crucial. They [Leeds] also missed chances.
"But I am completely aligned with Brad Arthur that that isn't a 'penalty.'"
The fight referenced by Arthur was clear to see as the clock ticked down. Connor was trying for 40/20s and 20/40s all over the park.
He thought he had one with a minute on the clock but then Warrington used their Challenge and it was ruled that the tackle on Palasia was complete before he passed it off the ground.
Then, there were seconds remaining on the clock as Connor decided that he would try for the conversion from a penalty awarded. He was 62 metres out and it fell eight metres short.
It was the latest 'what if' moment for Leeds as they have to lick their wounds and go through another strong season with nothing to show for it.
Now, it is for Arthur and his squad to try and find a way to overcome controversy and rise once again.
That will not bother Warrington though, who are now 80 minutes from the biggest win in the club's history.
Semi-finals
Semi-Final 1 - Friday September 25: Leeds Rhinos 12-14 Warrington Wolves
Semi-Final 2 - Saturday September 26: Wigan Warriors v Wakefield Trinity, 5.30pm KO on Sky Sports
The Super League play-offs are under way, live on Sky Sports, and continue all the way through until the Grand Final from Old Trafford on October 3.
