The winter months spent slogging away in most weathers on the practice floor are currently paying off to Josh Charnley in 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 former year’s defeat against Catalans Dragons.
Warrington are still which has up to now proved elusive for them that being the Super League title, and start their search to come back to Castleford Tigers on Thursday night.
Last year’s 12-4 loss to Wigan Warriors at Old Trafford has been the Wolves’ fourth defeat in Super League’s showpiece game and with one trophy already procured, Charnley would like to guarantee Steve Price’s side don’t see their efforts during the season go to waste.
“The pain was (ahead of the Challenge Cup final) and we spoke about it previously,” Charnley told Sky Sports.
“It is not wonderful shedding and you work really hard, you are in over Christmas training hard from the snow and the rain, and now you do everything you can to find some silverware.
“Last year, we were lucky enough to maintain two finals and we dropped them, but we started this season with goals and we have got one of those goals today. We just need the last piece of the puzzle.”
A return to Old Trafford would indicate Warrington on Charnley’s fourth look with returned to rugby league at 2018.
Although he didn’t have quite the identical effect with Sale because fellow wide-man Denny Solomona that is cross-code, the 28-year-old still reflects on his spell in rugby union.
It didn’t take long to repay to league once he arrived bringing with him a few improvements to his game.
“I’ve played soccer league since I was six and I’ve never know a different game, therefore it wasn’t too tough to get into it,” Charnley stated.
“The biggest thing was getting my body back in the contact, so which was the largest threat.
“I think I’m maybe more comfy under the ball. There is a lot of kicking and catching.
“It’s little technical things and a lot of marriage teams are now taking league into their game. I enjoyed my spell there and if I catch a high ball over my mind I’m buzzing.”
Charnley knows what is needed to get to and win the Super League Grand Final also, having been a part of the Wigan teams that triumphed at 2010, 2013 and 2016 – the latter two viewing the Cherry and Whites overcome his current team.
As they slipped to fourth, placing them into a win-or-bust elimination final using fifth-placed Castleford but despite that Challenge Cup triumph, the type in the league of Warrington was patchy in the final weeks of the regular season.
Charnley has supported Warrington to thrive in that situation using the lessons learned from the victory over St Helens in Wembley to assist them in the play-offs.
“It was one of those where we had to stay in the match,” Charnley stated. “Saints are a great team and we’re a fantastic team on the afternoon, therefore it was definitely going to be an exciting game.
“It was just down to who kept hold of the ball and did the proper things.
“We only get one shot now and on Thursday we’re carrying that into it, so we’re fully focussed on doing the task ”
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