Wigan’s Sam Powell ‘desperate’ to lift first Challenge Cup

Wigan starting number nine Sam Powell says he is desperate to tick off Challenge Cup glory in his career, having missed out on last year’s final at Tottenham.

The experienced dummy half, now 30, missed the final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium due to a six-match ban after a crusher tackle on St Helens winger Jon Bennison on Good Friday. 

The 2022 showdown, played at the end of May, was Powell’s last game suspended and so was forced to watch on from the sidelines as the Warriors claimed a dramatic 16-14 victory over Huddersfield thanks to a late try from Liam Marshall. 

“It was great to be around the lads, obviously I didn’t play and it was devastating to be honest,” Powell said, reflecting on last year’s final.

“It was tough to take. The whole week felt different. Families were excited, the history of the club and the trip down there was special. The stadium last year at Tottenham was amazing. It was a great week to be a part of. 

“I knew a few good weeks before that I wasn’t going to be playing in the game, so I got my head around it early. 

“I was trying to be positive, you can’t go around sulking.

“On reflection, I wouldn’t say I was jealous, but it was tough seeing the lads be out there playing and not be part of it. 

“Obviously I’m part of the squad, but to not get out on the pitch was different. It feeds the hunger to get back there, but we know there’s a big challenge ahead of us.”

Sam Powell: These big games is why we play the game

Powell, who is currently celebrating his testimonial after 10 years with his hometown club, featured from the bench in the 2017 Challenge Cup final 18-14 defeat to Hull at Wembley.

The prestigious cup competition remains the only trophy he is yet to win on the field, having won the Grand Final twice, the 2017 World Club Challenge and the League Leaders’ Shield in 2012 and 2020, enjoying an ever-present season in the latter. 

“It’s one I want to get. I played there in 2017 against Hull and we lost,” said Powell.

“No disrespect to Hull, I think we undersold ourselves that day. We should have been a lot better and that left a sour taste that day, the way I performed myself and the way the team performed.”

The road to the Challenge Cup final, which returns to Wembley later in August alongside the women’s final and 1895 Cup, begins this Saturday for Matt Peet’s Wigan against Leeds, who recently handed the Warriors their fourth defeat of the Super League season with a 40-18 score at the DW Stadium.

“It’s something I’ve never won.”

“We’ve got a great team against us on Saturday but it’s the first step on the journey in the Challenge Cup,” Powell continued.

“They played really well with 12 men. It was very disappointing for us, and something that we’re going to try and put right.

“It’s part of sport and a part of the journey. There’s up and downs in seasons, there’s no point sulking. We have to get in, work hard and we have to put our best foot forward on Saturday.

“I think with it being the Challenge Cup and the fact we won it last year is a big factor in why we need to go there and we need to win. 

“With it being Leeds at Headingley, they’re a massive club and they’ve got great players with great history. It’s going to be a massive challenge for us and one we’re really looking forward to it.

“These big games is why we play the game. Trips to Leeds, it’s never really disappointed me. 

“As a club, we have a great history with the cup. Last year was a great achievement. 

“It’s the first crack at winning something, so we’re going to give it our best shot. It’s something I’ve never won, so I’m desperate to try and get back there [the final] and lift it.”

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