The winter months spent slogging off in all weathers on the training ground are paying off for Josh Charnley at Warrington Wolves.
The winger and his team-mates saw their efforts rewarded in August once they conquered rivals St Helens 18-4 at Wembley to lift the Challenge Cup, banishing the memories of the previous year’s defeat against Catalans Dragons.
Warrington are still in pursuit of another decoration which has so far proved elusive for them however, start their search to go back to the Grand Final at home to Castleford Tigers on Thursday night, and being the Super League title.
Last year’s 12-4 loss to Wigan Warriors in Old Trafford was the Wolves’ fourth defeat in Super League’s showpiece match and with one trophy already secured, Charnley wants to make sure Steve Price’s side don’t see their efforts during the season visit waste.
“The pain was there (ahead of the Challenge Cup final) and we talked about it ” Charnley told Sky Sports.
“It is not wonderful shedding and you work so hard, you’re in over Christmas training hard in the snow and the rain, and you do all you can to get some silverware.
“Last yearwe had been fortunate enough to be in 2 finals and we dropped themwe started this season with targets and we have got one of those goals today. We just require the last bit of the puzzle”
A return to Old Trafford would indicate the fourth appearance with Warrington of Charnley in 2 seasons in the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having returned to league at 2018.
The reflects on his spell in rugby union although he did not have the identical effect with Luxurious since wide-man Denny Solomona.
It didn’t take long for its former Wigan player to repay to league once he arrived at Warrington, bringing a few improvements to his game that he made while playing the Sharks.
“I’ve played soccer league since I was six and I have never know another sport, therefore it was not too tough to get back into it,” Charnley stated.
“The greatest thing was getting my body back into the contact, in order that has been the biggest threat.
“I think I’m possibly more comfortable under the high ball. There is a good deal of kicking and catching.
“It is little technical matters and a lot of union teams now are taking league into their game. I enjoyed my spell there and when I catch a high ball over my head I am buzzing.”
Charnley understands what is necessary to reach win the Super League Grand Final too, having been part of the Wigan teams that triumphed in 2010, 2013 and 2016 – the latter two viewing Whites and with the Cherry overcome his club.
But despite this Challenge Cup victory, the form from the league of Warrington was patchy in the final weeks of the regular season since they slipped from second to fourth, placing them in a win-or-bust removal final with fifth-placed Castleford.
Charnley has backed Warrington to thrive in that situation employing the lessons learned to assist them at the play-offs.
“It was one of them where we needed to stay in the match,” Charnley stated. “Saints are a fantastic team and we are a fantastic team on the afternoon, therefore it was going to be an exciting game.
“It was just down to that kept hold of the ball and did the ideal things.
“We get one shot at this now and on Thursday we’re carrying that into it, so we’re fully focussed on doing the task .”
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