The first ever Super League match in Australia ended in disappointment for Hull FC, as they went down 24-10 to the Wigan Warriors in Wollongong. The injury-hit Black & Whites lost several of their star players throughout the contest severely hampering their chances in the game.

Liam Marshall bagged two early scores at the WIN Stadium to put the Warriors in control of the contest, while Hull FC were dealt a huge blow when they lost captain Danny Houghton and winger Bureta Faraimo through injury.

The Black & Whites hit back with scores from Fetuli Talanoa and Jordan Abdull, but the Warriors’ second-half scores from Ryan Sutton and Ben Flower sealed the contest as Hull tired with just one spot on their interchange.

After a week of preparations in New South Wales, backed by over 2000 supporters at the WIN Stadium, Hull went into the game boosted by the return of forward Liam Watts who started on the bench after missing last week’s victory over Huddersfield.

However Carlos Tuimavave, Chirs Green and Masi Matongo all missed out through injury for the Hull FC. The Warriors meanwhile welcomed back captain Sean O’Loughlin to their squad.

After all the hype and excitement ahead of the clash, an early blow for Hull dampened the spirits as Bureta Faraimo’s head-knock would see him sit out the rest of the contest.

Wigan took advantage of Hull’s damages right edge, and winger Liam Marshall raced away past Jake Connor and Jamie Shaul to bag the first Super Legaue try on Australia soil.

It wasn’t long before Deja Vu swept across the Faithful as just seven minutes later, Marshall again raced down the wing, outpacing the FC defense to bag his second of the game.

Hull’s slow start in the contest could have been much worse, if it wasn’t for Jake Connor’s interception in the 15th minute preventing a certain third score for the Warriors.

But Hull did manage to get themselves back in the contest. Fetuli Talanoa’s spectacular diving finish in the corner reduced the deficit to just six points.

Marshall again had a chance to bag his third, but the video referee deemed the winger had missed the ball in the act of attempting to touch down.

Hull continued to pick up injuries though, severely hampering their chances. Mark Minichiello and Jake Connor both spent spells on the sidelines.

But despite the knocks, Hull managed to pull themselves level on the scoreboard. A mistake in the Wigan defense allowed Jordan Abdull to pounce and score.

Sneyd converted, but Sam Tomkins slotted over a penalty before the break to give Shaun Wane’s side a 12-10 lead.

Lee Radford had to alter his side at the break, down to just one interchange on the bench. Jake Connor and Mark Minichiello both soldiered on with injuries, as Danny Washbrook moved to centre and Dean Hadley took over the hooker role.

But Ryan Sutton’s try just after the restart came as a major blow to any of Hull’s remaining hopes in the contest.

Hull remarkably, eight points down, stayed in the match for another 20 minutes, with their commitment and effort never wavering.

But it was Ben Flower’s score 12 minutes from time that sealed the all-important two points for Wigan, as Josh Griffin and Sam Tomkins were both sin-binned in the closing stages for a touchline scuffle.

Full-time: Wigan 24-10 Hull FC