Lee Briers wants to collect a Challenge Cup winners' medal against Huddersfield on Saturday - to replace the one he threw away!
Inspirational stand-off desperate to win Challenge Cup
Warrington's longest-serving player Lee Briers wants to collect a Challenge Cup winners' medal against Huddersfield on Saturday - to replace the one he threw away!
The inspirational Wolves stand-off received a winners' medal in 1997 after helping former club St Helens reach the final against Bradford.
He played in Saints' semi-final win over Salford but missed out on their successful trip to Wembley after Bobbie Goulding returned from suspension to reclaim his scrum-half spot.
Briers, who went on to immediately join Warrington, is now desperate to get hold of a winners' medal through playing this time around.
The 31-year-old said: "I had three defeats in semis and I've got a winners' medal but that doesn't really count. It got thrown away a long time ago. I want one for myself this time.
"It's every boy's dream to play at Wembley and I'm no different. This will be the highlight of my career by a country mile.
Positive person
"I'm a positive person and, although I've had a few heartbreaks, it's been worth waiting for. I kept trying my best to get there and obviously it's happened now.
"But I don't want to go there and just take part, I want to win it, as do Huddersfield. We're going to enjoy it but you only really enjoy it if you get the winners' medal at the end of it."
He added: "It's going to be a tough game. Huddersfield are a top-class side with a number of strong units.
"It's going to be hard for us but we're a strong unit and we've some top players. It's all going to be on the day."
Briers was man of the match in the Wolves' 39-26 semi-final win over Wigan and is 6-1 joint-favourite with Huddersfield's Brett Hodgson with
Sky Bet to win the prestigious Lance Todd Trophy.
Reacting to the news, he said: "That's nice but I'd be happy just to get a win.
"Man of the match to me is not a big thing, the team is more important."
Delighted
Briers was recently linked with a move to ambitious Championship club Barrow but he is delighted to have signed a new 12-month contract with the Wolves.
"All the speculation came from outside," he said. "There was no chance of me leaving.
"It was a great move 12 or 13 years ago when I came to Warrington and I've enjoyed every minute of it."
Adrian Morley, who succeeded Briers as captain at the start of last season, admits victory on Saturday would be especially sweet for the loyal half-back and says the team will be striving to ensure he is duly rewarded.
"He's a good example of the great players who have never played in a Challenge Cup final and it's great for Briersy that he's getting the chance," said Morley.
"For him to put the effort and time at club, it's great reward for him and we'll be doing our utmost to get a winners' medal for him."
