Michael Buffer shows up to witness never-seen-before moment of rugby league history
When Michael Buffer bellowed his iconic catchphrase, he had no idea what was about to unfold between Wigan Warriors and Leigh Leopards. The legendary ring announcer was a celebrity guest for the Super League opener at The Brick Community Stadium in Wigan. Buffer got the vocal chords going prior to Wigan’s Super League opener against LeighPA Wire It was a momentous occasion for the Warriors as they kicked off their title defence in front of an almost sold-out crowd that included Buffer, who had jetted in to ‘marry’ couples at the ‘Las Wigan Chapel’ prior to Valentine’s Day. What followed was an eighty-minute battle of attrition that ended with a slice of mind-blowing Super League history. For the first time out of the 4,969 matches contested in the competition’s era, neither side could be separated as the match ended 0-0 in regular time. The two teams refused to give an inch as they combined for a total of 795 tackles, with Wigan prop Luke Thompson contributing a staggering 57. It was always going to be a tall ask for Leigh to find a way past a stubborn Wigan defence that had not conceded a Super League try in over five hours. Leigh even had the advantage of an extra man when Wigan skipper Liam Farrell was sin-binned for dissent in the 53rd minute. The Warriors would go down to 12 men for a second time just before full-time when Andrew Keighran was shown a yellow card after a dangerous hit on Leigh five-eighth Lachlan Lam. Unfortunately for the defending champions, they couldn’t hold out Leigh forever. In extra time, a driving run from fullback David Armstrong put Leigh into a dream position where a field goal was well within range. The ball was flicked out to half-back Gareth O’Brien, who showed plenty of composure to slot home the winning field goal in the third minute of golden point extra time. Lowest scores in Super League history since its inception in 1996 DateScoreMarch 16, 1997Salford City Rebels 4-0 Castleford TigersApril 10, 1998Hull Sharks 6-4 London BroncosJune 15, 2007Salford City Rebels 5-2 HarlequinsMarch 7, 2009Celtic Crusaders 0-4 St HelensFebruary 26, 2010Salford City Rebels 0-7 Bradford BullsMarch 23, 2014Hull FC 0-7 Widnes VikingsAugust 30, 2019St Helens 4-0 Castleford TigersJune 24, 2022Warrington 4-0 Hull FCFebruary 13, 2025Wigan Warriors 0-1 Leigh Leopards Speaking on talkSPORT Breakfast, rugby league commentator Mark Wilson waxed lyrical about the contest and was at pains to point out it was filled with excitement despite the dull scoreline. “Honestly, it was like watching two boxers absolutely belt the living daylight out of each other,” Wilson said. “Just standing there in the middle of the ring, trading blows, neither of them refusing to give an inch. “And they didn’t, they just cancelled each other out.” Wilson added: “In terms of athleticism and strength, the defensive efforts were brilliant and neither could break each other down. “It was good to watch, it was genuinely great to watch. On the edge of your seat all night.” O’Brien is mobbed by his Leopards teammates following their historic victoryGetty Wigan have one more game – an away fixture against Hull FC – before they jet to Las Vegas for a match against Warrington Wolves on March 1. The two teams will represent the Super League for rugby league’s second showcase in Sin City following on from the National Rugby League’s (NRL) groundbreaking venture last year. Alongside Wigan and Warrington’s match, the England Lionesses take on the Australian Jillaroos in a Women’s Ashes match while four NRL teams will face off.
When Michael Buffer bellowed his iconic catchphrase, he had no idea what was about to unfold between Wigan Warriors and Leigh Leopards.
The legendary ring announcer was a celebrity guest for the Super League opener at The Brick Community Stadium in Wigan.
It was a momentous occasion for the Warriors as they kicked off their title defence in front of an almost sold-out crowd that included Buffer, who had jetted in to ‘marry’ couples at the ‘Las Wigan Chapel’ prior to Valentine’s Day.
What followed was an eighty-minute battle of attrition that ended with a slice of mind-blowing Super League history.
For the first time out of the 4,969 matches contested in the competition’s era, neither side could be separated as the match ended 0-0 in regular time.
The two teams refused to give an inch as they combined for a total of 795 tackles, with Wigan prop Luke Thompson contributing a staggering 57.
It was always going to be a tall ask for Leigh to find a way past a stubborn Wigan defence that had not conceded a Super League try in over five hours.
Leigh even had the advantage of an extra man when Wigan skipper Liam Farrell was sin-binned for dissent in the 53rd minute.
The Warriors would go down to 12 men for a second time just before full-time when Andrew Keighran was shown a yellow card after a dangerous hit on Leigh five-eighth Lachlan Lam.
Unfortunately for the defending champions, they couldn’t hold out Leigh forever.
In extra time, a driving run from fullback David Armstrong put Leigh into a dream position where a field goal was well within range.
The ball was flicked out to half-back Gareth O’Brien, who showed plenty of composure to slot home the winning field goal in the third minute of golden point extra time.
Lowest scores in Super League history since its inception in 1996
| Date | Score |
| March 16, 1997 | Salford City Rebels 4-0 Castleford Tigers |
| April 10, 1998 | Hull Sharks 6-4 London Broncos |
| June 15, 2007 | Salford City Rebels 5-2 Harlequins |
| March 7, 2009 | Celtic Crusaders 0-4 St Helens |
| February 26, 2010 | Salford City Rebels 0-7 Bradford Bulls |
| March 23, 2014 | Hull FC 0-7 Widnes Vikings |
| August 30, 2019 | St Helens 4-0 Castleford Tigers |
| June 24, 2022 | Warrington 4-0 Hull FC |
| February 13, 2025 | Wigan Warriors 0-1 Leigh Leopards |
Speaking on talkSPORT Breakfast, rugby league commentator Mark Wilson waxed lyrical about the contest and was at pains to point out it was filled with excitement despite the dull scoreline.
“Honestly, it was like watching two boxers absolutely belt the living daylight out of each other,” Wilson said.
“Just standing there in the middle of the ring, trading blows, neither of them refusing to give an inch.
“And they didn’t, they just cancelled each other out.”
Wilson added: “In terms of athleticism and strength, the defensive efforts were brilliant and neither could break each other down.
“It was good to watch, it was genuinely great to watch. On the edge of your seat all night.”
Wigan have one more game – an away fixture against Hull FC – before they jet to Las Vegas for a match against Warrington Wolves on March 1.
The two teams will represent the Super League for rugby league’s second showcase in Sin City following on from the National Rugby League’s (NRL) groundbreaking venture last year.
Alongside Wigan and Warrington’s match, the England Lionesses take on the Australian Jillaroos in a Women’s Ashes match while four NRL teams will face off.
