Powell hoping to finally make World Series bow

Correspondent

Sam Powell is hoping Wigan’s clash with Brisbane Broncos is the chance for himself to finally make his World Club Series bow.

The 23 year-old has been ruled out of the previous two games that Wigan have been involved in due to injury and then suspension, with the utility half back being lined up to play in both games.

This has frustrated Powell, who says he was gutted in previous years to miss out but is hoping to be selected by Shaun Wane ahead of Saturday’s game with the NRL side.

“When we went to Sydney in 2014 for the World Club Challenge, I was due to play,” Powell told wigantoday.net.

“But during training, I suffered a freak injury – I stood on a ball and tore the tendon off my foot – and it ruled me out. Then last year, the week before the Brisbane game, we played Huddersfield and I got banned for a chicken wing tackle.

“I didn’t realise it was bad – I certainly didn’t intend to do it. It wasn’t until afterwards that I thought it was a bit dodgy and unfortunately it meant I got a one-game ban, and missed the game. It was gutting, but hopefully I’ll get picked this year.”

As for where Powell’s loyalites lie in the other two games taking place in the World Club Series, he was insistent he was backing both Super League teams to do well for the league.

“It is hard being a Wigan lad, cheering for St Helens, but you do want them to do well,” he said.

“You don’t want everyone saying that the Super League and NRL are worlds apart. We get enough bad publicity as it is, so we want to make every aspect of our Super League better.”

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