Warrington Wolves forward Joe Philbin is hoping to make up for missing last year’s Challenge Cup final loss by helping his side get to back-to-back Wembley visits on Sunday.
The Wolves head to St Helens’ Totally Wicked Stadium, where they will face an in-form Leigh Leopards side, also with an eye on lifting the trophy in June.
Philbin has been an ever-present for Warrington this season but has had to settle for a bench spot with head coach Sam Burgess choosing to start Paul Vaughan and Luke Yates over him in recent weeks.
However, the 30-year-old is more than ready for the challenge of facing Leigh and admits that he’s desperate to make it to another Challenge Cup final.
Speaking to Warrington’s media, he said: “It’s massive motivation, we were going really well last season, but we turned up to the final and didn’t really show our best, which was upsetting.
“There are a few people who’ve got their own individual reasons as to why they want to get there.
“Obviously, for me, I got injured the week before the final, so I didn’t get the chance to take to the field with my Warrington brothers, which really hurt, so that’s a lot of motivation for me this week.”
Warrington Wolves prop talks wanting to get one over on their Super League rivals
The Warrington Wolves prop was full of praise for the job that Leigh boss Adrian Lam has done with the Leopards, as well as chairman Derek Beaumont.
The Leopards are currently third in the Super League standings, but Philbin thinks it’s Warrington’s time to get one over on them.
He added:Â “It’s really impressive what Derek and Adrian have done over there, it’s good to see.
“Obviously, one of the first bits of business that they did was take a lot of players who are my mates, who I’ve played with, so there’s a lot of friendly competition there.
“They’ve probably had one up on us if we’re being totally honest, so there’s a lot of emotion going into this week, and we’re going to use that to drive us.”
Philbin also reflected on the Warrington fans, especially their travelling support, and hoped that they would show up in St Helens in big numbers.
With 12,500 tickets sold already, it’s expected to be a loud atmosphere between the two sets of fans.
He finished: “It makes all the difference in the world, like that roar, it gives you that extra bit of motivation and buzz. It’s massive for us players, so I’m hoping to see loads of Warrington fans down there and make it primrose and blue.”
