We defended tough - Wane
Wigan coach Shaun Wane hailed his side's defensive efforts after they wore down Super League champions Leeds to reach their second Grand Final in four years.
The Warriors ran in three second-half tries, including winger Josh Charnley's 42nd of the season, to secure a 22-12 victory in the second semi-final and set up an Old Trafford decider with Warrington next Saturday.
"I'm very happy," Wane said. "I don't think we were at our best but we did enough to win the game.
"We need to improve. I don't think the week off did us any good - we were a bit underdone - but it was a tough arm wrestle tonight and it has put us in good spirits for next week.
"It was a gritty performance, which is what you need in a semi-final. I thought we defended tough. Leeds are a good team, they can play.
"But we concentrated in defence and we completed 100 per cent in the second half, which is a great effort.
"There is still a lot of work to be done. Warrington are a great team but there are areas where we can improve."
Wigan led only 6-0 at half-time courtesy of centre Iain Thornley's sixth-minute try but Wane was never concerned.
"I just knew if we stuck to our plays, we would get them," he said.
It was a fitting way for Australian winger Pat Richards and England internationals Sam Tomkins and Lee Mossop to mark their final appearances at the DW Stadium as they prepare for their moves to the NRL.
"It was something that drove the players on," Wane said.
Leeds, champions in each of the last two years, drew level at 6-6 thanks to Joel Moon's terrific try four minutes into the second half but this looked a game too far for them and they finished a well-beaten side.
"We had big dig," coach Brian McDermott said. "Wigan came out fast, they looked more energised at start of the game.
"We were on the back foot right from the off, we never seemed to get a grip on the game.
"We were never far off but we always seemed to be yard behind.
"We could have been smarter but, in terms of effort, we couldn't have given any more.
"I'm a proud man in charge of a disappointed team."
Second rower Jamie Jones-Buchanan was one of the Leeds players who defied injury to play in their biggest game of the season.
He came off eight minutes before half-time and his knee injury could scupper his chances of playing for England in the World Cup.
"He shouldn't have been on the field," McDermott said. "His ligament is hanging on by a thread.
"It's up to Jonesy whether he's available for the World Cup. If it goes, it goes, if not he could do a job."
