Riddell looking relaxed
Wigan Warriors star Mark Riddell is urging his side to remain relaxed ahead of their first Engage Super League Grand Final since 2003.
The Warriors will take to the field at Manchester’s Old Trafford stadium on Saturday October 2, knowing that victory would see them clinch the Super League title for the first time in 12 years and end what has been an agonisingly long wait for silverware.
Riddell, who joined the Wigan side in 2009, has been a major player in the side’s transformation under new coach Michael Maguire and is set to make his first ever appearance in Super League’s showpiece event.
“This is a great time for the club and a special week for all the players,” said Riddell. “This is also one of the biggest games of my career, I haven’t been involved in a Grand Final as such and I think the fact that Wigan haven’t been involved in a Super League final for so long has made it even more special, so I’m going to enjoy it and try and play well on the day.”
Wigan made it through to the Grand Final after a comprehensive defeat of defending champions Leeds Rhinos, the same team that beat them in week one of the play-offs. The victory guaranteed Wigan a place in their first Grand Final since 2003 and an all-or-nothing clash against local rivals St Helens.
“I think we learnt a lot from our first loss to Leeds,” commented Riddell when speaking to SLTV. “We took a lot out of that game and we put in a great performance against Hull KR on the back of it. We continued to build on top of that again with our victory against Leeds last week.
“Our defence was fantastic against the Rhinos and at times there was some inspirational individual defensive efforts and I think that’s what you need at this stage of the season and in these big games and it will be vital against St Helens. There’s no doubting that Saints are a great side, they’ve made the last four Grand Finals and they know exactly what it takes to get here.
“The fact that we’re playing against them has made the final a massive game for the people of both Wigan and St Helens so we know it’s going to be a great atmosphere and a great occasion but it’s important that the players just keep relaxed and enjoy the experience and do the things they always do well and put in a big performance on the pitch.”