Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
LADBROKES CHALLENGE CUP FINAL FOR THE CUP
Joker and ‘Man of the People’ Gelling so desperate to complete the full set of personal honours
THE Joker in Wigan’s pack is aiming to complete a full house of personal honours in today’s Challenge Cup final.
Centre Anthony Gelling has become almost as renowned for his antics off the field as on it.
The Cook Islands international rides his BMX to matches, films spoof music videos of his team-mates that go viral, and declared himself the “Man of the People”, after swearing live in a post-match TV interview.
Recently, he has even provided a John Barnes-esque rap to Wigan’s charity cup final song. But Gelling has also been a key member of the Warriors sides that have won a Grand Final and World Club Challenge inside the last 12 months.
And having been 18th man the last time Wigan lifted the Challenge Cup in 2013, the 26-year-old now wants to make it a full set against Hull FC today. Gelling said: “It was bittersweet – I would have liked to have played but it was one of those things.
“It was still wicked, one of the best weekends ever, but it does make you more hungry to be involved.
“To play and win one would be great, because it’s the one thing I haven’t done – I’ve won everything else. I want to get the Wembley thing ticked off.”
By his own admission, Gelling has failed to hit the on-field highs of 2016 this season – replicating an inconsistent campaign for Shaun Wane’s side. He said: “I’ve not been happy really. I’ve been a bit flat this year. I haven’t been able to get out of first gear really.
“It was a bit of a slow start. Not having a pre-season due to injuries, you’re always behind the eight-ball. Then trying to catch up with everyone else, and then you get injured again and have to start over.
“It’s been a bit hit and miss, and I’m just trying to get it right now for the big games, the games that count.”
Gelling is likely to have his physical condition tested to the full at Wembley today against a formidable Hull FC three-quarter line.
He added: “The size they have in their outside backs is something – Josh Griffin, Mahe Fonua, Fetuli Talanoa.
“They’re all big boys, and they’re all playing well, too. If we want to beat them, we’ve got to be on our game.
“I thought they were going to be the team that would really blow everyone away this year. They’re starting to find that form now and, in that semi-final against Leeds, they looked really sharp.
“They have a good mix of size and speed, age and youth – they’re a great team 1-13. It’s a big challenge for us.”