ZAK: I’M IN LAST CHANCE SALOON

ZAK HARDAKER admits it’s now do or die for his career ahead of tonight’s World Club Challenge.

But the troubled fullback is determined to show his future is alive and well by helping Wigan become world champions.

He said: “I won’t get another chance. Before I think I was a cat with nine lives. Now I have had eight, I’m at the end of my tether.”

Wigan, who take on NRL champions Sydney Roosters at the DW Stadium, snapped Hardaker up during his cocaine ban last year.

Castleford kicked him out after he tested positive in late 2017, wrecking their dream of winning their first Super League title.

Leeds had also previously shown him the door, after a string of shameful offences involving drink, violence and homophobic abuse.

And even Wigan’s offer of salvation was thrown back in their face when he was charged with drinkdriving.

Hardaker (right) has often vowed to change his ways, only to offend again.

He even admits that Wigan would have probably been picking up the pieces of another disaster at some point, even if he hadn’t been done for driving over the limit.

But Hardaker, who has since been in rehab, insists the penny has finally dropped.

He said: “Wigan took a massive chance and then the drink-driving was a huge wake-up call for both of us.

“I reckon something would have cropped up over the next four years, if not that, so maybe it was good that it was so early on.

“Everything was spoken about after that and I have scrapped it now – I’ve not had a drink since. It’s not indefinite, not forever, but at the moment I feel pretty good. I spend my weekends watching films which is a big contrast to the past 10 years.

“I’ve had a few times when I thought I’ve grown up and have fallen back into the same pattern.

“I definitely have grown up now.

“I didn’t just want to play and earn as much as I can but to achieve something. I’d like to win the Man of Steel again at some point, win trophies, enjoy myself.”

Hardaker, 27, knows victory tonight would be another huge step in his comeback.

He added: “Anyone who has just signed and gets the chance to play in a World Club Challenge, it’s massive, but

it’s even