Wigan Powerhouse Luke Thompson Driven to Lift Challenge Cup and Avenge 2019 Heartbreak
Wigan Warriors forward Luke Thompson is desperate to lift the Challenge Cup this weekend, seeking redemption after suffering a devastating defeat in the 2019 final while playing for St Helens.
Saturday’s clash at Wembley will see the Warriors take on Warrington Wolves, the same opponents Thompson faced five years ago at the iconic venue. As part of the dominant St Helens side that was favoured to win the 2019 final, Thompson was left dejected when his team struggled to find their rhythm, ultimately losing 18-4 after an early try by Morgan Knowles was disallowed.
Now representing Wigan, the 29-year-old admits that the chance to finally claim a Challenge Cup winners’ medal was a key factor in his decision to return to Super League from a spell in the NRL with the Canterbury Bulldogs. “It’s awesome for me to be in a Challenge Cup final in my first year back,” Thompson said. “It’s one that I’m really desperate to win because I never won it at Saints.”
Having won the Grand Final four times in a row with St Helens, Thompson is determined to make amends for the 2019 Wembley heartbreak. “I was pretty depressed for a couple of weeks after I lost that one,” he recalled. “It was a tough game and unfortunately, we just didn’t get the job done.”
Wigan enter this weekend’s clash as favourites, much like St Helens did in 2019. But Thompson and his teammates are leaving no stone unturned in their preparation, eager to seize the opportunity and create lasting memories. “These are the days that you’ll look back on after your career and the days you’ll really remember, especially if you win,” the Billinge-born powerhouse added.
With a focused determination to secure the elusive Challenge Cup, Luke Thompson is poised to lead Wigan’s charge for glory under the famous arch, driven by the need to avenge the pain of his previous Wembley defeat.
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