BRAD O’NEILL said Wigan’s start was the key to their huge Wembley win over Hull KR.
While most observers were expecting a very tight contest, the Warriors ran away for a 40-10 score.
It was only 10-4 at half-time, although the men in cherry and white certainly enjoyed the better of the first period.
“We just stuck to our game plan,” said hooker O’Neill, now a three-time Challenge Cup winner at the age of 23.
“The result came in the end, but it took a lot of hard work and energy. We knew we had to start well and we did that.
“We knew Hull KR would be at their best in the opening 20 minutes. We knew we had to match it and try to overcome that, then the game may open up.
“I’m just proud of the team and proud of the pack. It was a big challenge today and we came out on top.”
As well as O’Neill, there were big efforts in the middle from the likes of Junior Nsemba, Liam Farrell and Ethan Havard.
“The most important thing was to win at all costs,” added the Leigh-born number nine.
“We set out to win everything every year and we had a chance today to touch silverware for the first time since before last year.”
O’Neill played down suggestions that his performance could have extra international significance, after getting the better of Hull KR’s England rival Jez Litten.
Litten was picked for last autumn’s Ashes squad alongside Warrington veteran Daryl Clark.
That left O’Neill with just the one cap earned against France two years ago, but there is a new England coach in Brian McDermott and a World Cup opportunity at the end of this season.
“I just try to put my best foot forward in every game I play,” he said.
“It’s down to other people’s opinions, but I try my best every week.”