Stuart Fielden believes Wigan’s 44-10 win against Bradford on Sunday serves as perfect preparation for this weekend’s World Club Challenge showdown with St George Illawarra.
The reigning Super League champions ran in eight tries at Odsal, with Fielden’s appearance against his former club also his first since England duty in the Four Nations Series last autumn.
“It was a scruffy win,” the forward said. “The conditions weren’t great and there was nothing fancy.
“It was one of those for character, where you tough it out and that’s great for us for next week because that’s what St George do.
“They don’t drop the ball ever, they grind you down and they’ve got some great players in there as well.
“It was more like a semi-final because every player out there is aiming to earn his spot for next week. We don’t know who is going to be playing so you have to play to your absolute best.”
Cobwebs
Fielden said he was relieved to get back into action after knee surgery delayed his return.
“It allowed me to blow out a few cobwebs,” he said. “Obviously I would have liked to have played all our games and be a bit more oiled but it was a good hit-out.”
If picked, the 31-year-old will be making a fourth appearance in the annual challenge. He will also be hoping to maintain a 100 per cent record, having helped the Bulls to victories over Newcastle in 2002, Penrith Panthers in 2004 and Wests Tigers in 2006.
“Obviously I’m hoping to make it four, Fielden added. “I’m massively looking forward to it. I’m sure the gaffer will have a lot for us to improve on.”
Meanwhile, Wigan will be appearing in their first World Club Challenge since 1994, when they toppled Wayne Bennett’s Brisbane Broncos at Lang Park.
Bennett enjoys an unbeaten record as a coach in seven Australian Grand Finals but only has a one-in-four success rate in the annual meeting between the northern and southern hemisphere’s best sides.
Super League clubs took advantage of the conditions associated with a harsh English winter to post six victories in seven years up to 2008, before Manly Sea Eagles stopped the rot against Leeds at Elland Road the following year.
Melbourne followed suit 12 months ago and ahead of this year’s match at the DW Stadium, Bennett does not believe the weather and the travel are decisive factors.
“We’ve got a week to acclimatise,” said Bennett, who arrived with his 20-man squad at Heathrow Airport on Sunday to begin preparations in London.
Second wind
“It will take a couple of days to get our legs back after such a long flight but I’m confident we will go well on Sunday.
“The weather is a factor but it doesn’t have to be a big factor. In fact, it can be a benefit for us.
“The humidity was very high in Wollongong on Friday and the guys were sweating in the changing room without even warming up. By half-time, they were pretty tired and exhausted.
“The heat can knock you around, the cold doesn’t do that to do. You can get your second wind easy enough.”
