Wigan coach Shaun Wane believes his side will go into the Super League play-offs with momentum following their 24-20 victory over Warrington in an epic repeat of the 2013 grand final.
Wingers Josh Charnley and Joe Burgess both scored two tries apiece as the reigning champions came from 18-4 down at half-time in their final match of the regular season to complete the double over the Wolves and ensure a top-three finish.
"It was a tough game but we expected that," Wane said. "It was a good one for us, we'll go into the play-offs with some momentum."
Warrington went into the match with a proud record at the DW Stadium, where they had not lost since 2009, and they looked sure to extend their unbeaten run when they ran in three converted tries in a 14-minute burst just before halftime.
But the Warriors were inspired by Wane's halftime pep talk as they went on to turn the game on its head in a thrilling second half in similar fashion to their grand final victory, in which they came from 16-2 down to win 30-16.
"I explained to the players how we could be better but they knew, they're a honest group," Wane added. "We deserved to win that game."
Warrington winger Joel Monaghan scored two of his side's three tries to take his total for the season to 28 and when Stefan Ratchford kicked his fourth goal early in the second half the visitors led 20-12 before the home side came back strongly.
"It's disappointing but it was a great game, a game of two halves," Warrington coach Tony Smith said. "I thought we completely dominated the first half - I thought their try came against the run of play.
"In the second half we gifted them one or two and they found some energy but I'm really proud of my boys. They were very strong in the tackle but there were a couple of things that were costly."
The Wolves will finish fifth if Huddersfield beat St Helens in their final league game but Smith insists they remain determined to reach Old Trafford for a third successive year.
"We would have liked to have finished a couple of places higher but it will make us pretty determined from here on in," he said.
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