LONDON: Wigan Warriors survived a second-half fightback from Hull FC to secure a fourth-straight Grand Final appearance, but Shaun Wane knows his patchwork side will need to improve to lift the title next weekend.
Hull FC looked dead and buried at half-time at the DW Stadium as they trailed Wigan 14-0 thanks to a Lewis Tierney double and a late John Bateman score.
But they came out for the second half fired up and after tries from Josh Bowden and Liam Watts found themselves in the lead for the first time after a long video refereeing decision confirmed Steve Michaels had got a fingertip to a Jamie Shaul grubber to dot down.
Wigan were missing a whole raft of first team regulars but they dug deep into their reserves to produce a comeback of their own, and secured a fourth successive trip to Old Trafford with late scores from Sam Powell and Anthony Gelling.
Despite making Old Trafford a second home, Wigan have lost their last two finals, having last lifted the title in 2013.
That came courtesy of a victory over Warrington Wolves and as the same side wait for them next Saturday, Wane admits his side can't afford another second-half struggle.
"It was the perfect start," he said. "I said to the players 'Hull will come back in this game', they were a good team, but there's things we need to fix no question.
"All praise to the players, they train injured, play injured, I'm pleased for all them and the fans. We've all been under pressure this year, it's been a struggle but worth it.
"I can't tell you how proud I am. This is a different set up, this lot never know when they're beaten. I'm so pleased for them and all the loyal fans that have stuck with us.
"We made a couple of defensive errors in the second half which were poor. We didn't really have that ruthless streak about us in the second half, but overall I'm so happy with the win.
"We'll be in training this week to make sure we're ready for Warrington next Saturday.
"It's a great team spirit, We've had some real close to the heart team meetings this week, the will they've got to fight for each other is strong.
"But Tony (Smith, Warrington Wolves head coach) is smart, the Warrington players are smart, it's a massive challenge next week. If we turn around with the attitude we had in the second half we'll get burned."
As for Hull, they have had to settle for just the Challenge Cup success this season after seeing the League Leader's Shield go to Warrington last time out.
But as they missed out on a first Grand Final outing since 2006, Hull FC head coach Lee Radford insisted his players will be stronger for the experience as they bid to push on even further next term.
"I'm pleased with the response after 40 minutes, but I can accept going out like we did in the second period," Radford said.
"The response at half-time I was really pleased with, defensively we've been great all season. We'll be better for it, it's a fine art getting players to peak at this side of the year.
"We've played an awful lot of footy and I felt we looked like we had.
"Performing well across the season is something we'll go away and try and get better at next year.
"They'll be one or two tweaks, but the group is staying together and we'll be better for that next time round.
"At the beginning of the year we spoke about finishing in the top four. We were really consistent throughout the year, I'm really pleased with how healthy we've been, we've had a good year.
"The cup was a massive monkey off our backs so hopefully that taste of success will whet the appetite of the group for next season."
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