Wigan Warriors eye Challenge Cup response as Ollie Partington looks to go ‘one step further’

Wigan head into Sunday’s quarter-final tie looking to bounce back from a dramatic 34-24 defeat to St Helens, where they surrendered a 14-point lead in the final stages of the derby.

Reflecting on that loss after reviewing it as a group, Partington admitted it had been a difficult result to process, particularly given the nature of the occasion.

“It was a tough one to take, really,” Partington told Wigan Today. “I think it was always going to be in a Good Friday derby because you don’t get a crack at it until next year, so it was a tough one to take.

“There are a lot of lessons to learn in that last 10 minutes, the game was won really, and it should’ve been put to bed, but fair play to Saints, they put it on us, and it was a great comeback.

“It’s a tough one to take. We had some tough conversations earlier in the week. We’ve put it right today in training and over the last few days, so there is plenty to work on , and we will look forward to fixing it this week in another big game.”

Attention now turns to the Challenge Cup, with Wigan facing a Wakefield side in strong form, having won their last five matches in all competitions, and Partington believes the fixture presents an ideal opportunity to respond.

“It’s another game I’m looking forward to,” he said. “I lost in the semi last year with Catalans, so I want to go one step further and get back to a final, but we’ve got a job to do in the quarters.

“Wakey are on a good run of form, definitely the in-form team at the minute I’d say, and we’re coming off some bad form, so it’s a good challenge for us and a tough place to go as we know, so I’m looking forward to the challenge.

“They’ve got a big pack, and it’ll be good for our pack to go up against. Obviously, we’re missing a couple of boys at the minute, but it’s exciting.”

Wakefield has not been a happy hunting ground for Wigan in recent years, with only three wins from their last ten visits. However, the last time the two sides met in the Challenge Cup came in the quarter-final stage in 2022, when Matt Peet later went on to land his first trophy as head coach of his hometown club.

Partington acknowledged the challenge that awaits the Warriors this weekend.

“I don’t know the stats, but it sounds about right,” he added. “I’ve been involved in some tough games there over the years, and it’s a tough place to go.

“The ground, the way it used to be, was quite tough, but it’s changed quite a bit now, so hopefully so we can go and get the win because it’s the first chance at a trophy — it’s do or die — and I can’t wait.”

Having returned to Wigan ahead of the 2026 season after spells with Salford and Catalans, Partington says the opportunity to compete for silverware was a key factor in his decision, with this weekend marking the first major step in that pursuit.

“You can’t get to the final and win trophies without winning these games,” he said. “So I can’t wait to get out there, it’ll be a good game and it’s one o’clock kick-off, so it should be a good atmosphere, and I’m excited.”