Salford pacester Joe Burgess is desperate to make up for some painful final experiences - and at the expense of old club Wigan.
The ex-England winger heads back to his hometown tonight looking to deny Warriors a place in the Betfred Challenge Cup last-eight. In-form Burgess scored for Wigan at Wembley in 2017 - ironically having broken Salford hearts in the semis - only to lose to Hull. He also suffered three Super League Grand Final defeats before joining the Red Devils last year.
Although Cup kings Wigan are familiar with the road to Wembley, Salford played there in 2020 for the first time in 51 years, falling agonisingly to Leeds. This season the showpiece is switched to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Burgess is keen to get his side in the frame.
“I'm loving it at Salford,” said the 27-year-old.
“I've been playing with a smile on my face - win or lose. It is just really enjoyable playing for this side. And it was only two years ago Salford were at Wembley. It’s there for the taking.
“I’d love to get to the final again and lift that trophy. I’ve never got to a final and won. I’ve only ever won the World Club Challenge.”
Although eight-try Ken Sio has earned acclaim on Salford’s right wing again this term, Burgess has been ripping up opponents on the left. His dazzling 70m run that helped defeat Leeds and end a three-game losing sequence last week left boss Paul Rowley purring - and saying the ex-Sydney Roosters wideman could force his way back into England’s reckoning.
But Burgess, who won the last of his three caps in 2015, insisted: “I don’t really want to think about that. In recent years, I’ve made a goal at the start of the year saying I want to get in the England squad. But I’m not doing it this year. I’m just going to take it a week at a time and concentrate on getting better again.”
Burgess does believe he is coming into his prime and - with six clean breaks already - is proving one of Super League’s most potent attackers.
With the Cup in mind, he is also glad to now have Marc Sneyd on his side.
The scrum-half won the Lance Todd Trophy when helping Hull beat Burgess’ Wigan in 2017 - 12 months after doing likewise against Warrington.
But he rejoined Salford in the off-season and was instrumental in that Leeds victory.
Burgess - who scored 107 tries in 129 games across two Wigan spells - said: “Sneydy’s been massive for us. He’s like a general; he’s very good at organising and has a great kicking game. He can be a massive factor, especially in games like this. He can really get you out of trouble.”
