Wigan Warriors coach Shaun Wane is desperate to beat Hull Kingston Rovers in Sunday’s Challenge Cup fifth round to keep his dream of getting to Wembley as head coach alive.
Wane was assistant to Michael Maguire in Wigan’s 2011 Challenge Cup success against Leeds Rhinos and wants to eradicate memories of last seasons’ semi-final defeat against the same opponents.
The Warriors boss also asserted that Wigan Athletic’s progression to the FA Cup final is further incentive to give the town a third appearance at the national stadium in five months.
“The Challenge Cup final is one event I want to get to,” said Wane.
“It was great to get there as an assistant but it’s not quite the same. If we can do what Wigan Athletic have done then it will be fantastic.”
Hull K.R. suffered a record defeat when the teams last met at MS3 Craven Park but were missing half backs Michael Dobson and Travis Burns who are in Sunday’s squad.
And Wane will be without scrum half Matty Smith after he picked up a shoulder injury in Wigan’s 46-6 win over Salford City Reds last Friday.
Cook Islands international Anthony Gelling was also a casualty of that game with a broken collarbone after an awkward fall in the act of scoring a try, leaving Wane angry at rules preventing first team players coming back from injury in the under-19s competition.
“It’s sad that he can’t play for a few weeks, his first game back is in Super League, and he does that,” said Wane.
“Now whether that has something to do with the injury – I’m pretty certain it has got something to do with it. It’s not done any good.
“You can practice and practice and we have physical training but still it doesn’t replicate a game.
Wane also revealed talks have not yet commenced with Wigan about renewing his deal as head coach.
With an influx of Wigan stars heading to the NRL next year New Zealand Warriors have hinted Wane may be a target.
For more on this story and many others, follow Mancunian Matters on Twitter and Facebook.
