Wigan Warriors 19 Huddersfield Giants 6: Five things we learned

1. They only went and finished top of the league.

In a strange, interrupted campaign which has been rejigged three times, Wigan finished in the No.1 spot.

The league standings were calculated on win percentage but the Warriors would also have been top under the traditional method, having amassed more points - 26 - than anyone else from their 17 games.

It was the first time they have won the league leaders' shield since Shaun Wane's debut campaign, in 2012. It also marked Adrian Lam's first piece of silverware.

And while the shield is not regarded as being as significant an award as the Challenge Cup or Grand Final, it's certainly a nice recognition for a largely strong campaign.

Perhaps the biggest positive was the fact it guaranteed them a less tricky route to the Grand Final. They and second-placed St Helens don't play next week, before each hosting a semi-final the following week - with places in the title-decider at stake.

2. To the game itself, and Huddersfield made Wigan work for their prize.

Possibly because of their derby heroics the previous week, Lam's side were a little flat, their finishing a little rusty.

The score was locked 6-6 at half-time and, also, approaching the hour-mark when Jackson Hastings took a grip of the game, scoring one try and carving out another for Zak Hardaker in quick succession. He added a dropgoal later on to seal the win.

Hastings, out of contract this season, later said he may know by next week where he will be playing in 2021.

3. From one out-of-contract halfback, to another.

Thomas Leuluai captained the side on his 300th appearance for the club. A hugely-respected member of the side, Leuluai amassed his milestone tally in two spells with Wigan - having arrived from London Broncos for 2007.

The 35-year-old has an agreement to join the coaching staff when he hangs up his boots but his form is showing no signs of fading, and he is currently speaking to the Warriors about playing on next season.

4. George Burgess made just his seventh appearance for Wigan since arriving from Souths on a marquee deal.

The prop has been nursing a hip injury which has restrained him from making the impact he would have liked, and many fans expected.

Hopefully, his appearance against the Giants was a baby-step back to full fitness.

He took the place of suspended Joe Greenwood, who will miss the opening play-off game through suspension - Lam may have captain Sean O'Loughlin and winger Dom Manfredi back in contention for then.

5. A word on Wigan's opponents, who gave as good as they received for nearly an hour.

Huddersfield handed a debut to Irish teenager Ronan Michael, who has had a remarkable journey to Super League.

The 19-year-old only took up the sport two years ago and earned a shot at the Giants after paying his own way over for a trial.

Having trained with Canberra's Under-20s earlier this year, he returned home during the Covid-19 pandemic and had been working as a window cleaner... and even played hurling in August, before linking back up with the Giants.

He became the first Irish-born player since Brian Carney to debut in the competition.

Meanwhile, interim coach Luke Robinson is waiting to discover if he will keep the role for 2021 or revert back to assistant coach.

Read unlimited Wigan Athletic and Wigan Warriors stories for less than 70p a week by subscribing to our sports package here