WIGAN hooker Mark Riddell is desperately hoping to take a Grand Final ring back with him when he returns to Australia to spend time with his ill mother.

The former St George Illawarra and Parramatta favourite is cutting short his stay in Super League to be with mum Sandra, who is battling cancer – and he knows that tonight’s Super League elimination semi-final against Hull KR could be the last match he ever plays.

Although only 29, Riddell has not yet decided whether to play on next season and is determined to end his two-year Wigan stay on a high.

“I don’t really know what the future holds with rugby so I’m pretty much treating this as my last season at the moment,” he said.

“I’m looking to enjoy every day at training and to enjoy the games that I play. I’m only 29 so I’ve probably got a few years left hopefully and this year has probably been one of my best years since 2007.

“My manager is speaking with a few clubs back home but I’ve made the decision to wait until I get back home to worry about my future. I want to focus on Wigan first and foremost.”

Riddell, who has been released from the last year of his Warriors contract, has managed to focus on his rugby thanks to the encouragement from his mother back in Sydney.

Riddell said: “I found out in May and it’s been tough but mum’s been pretty good. She watches most of the games. She told me just to get on with things and that’s what I’ve been doing.

“She’s going though chemotherapy at the moment. Everything is looking good at the moment but it was a purely family decision to get back to Sydney.”

Wigan must quickly bounce back from their dramatic 27-26 defeat by Leeds in Sunday’s qualifying play-off if Riddell is to make a Grand-Final appearance that proved so elusive throughout his NRL career.

“I’ve been very fortunate,” he said. “I’ve played in the NRL finals every year bar two in my seasons over there.

“I’ve yet to make a Grand Final so that’s the heart-breaking thing. I’ve been so close so many times. This is maybe my last chance.”

The Warriors earned another shot in the play-offs after finishing top of Super League and need it after squandering a 14-0 lead against the Rhinos and then missing a late penalty.

Riddell admits the manner of the defeat was tough to take but insists the players are ready to make the most of their second chance.

He said: “When it comes to knockout football, you’ve got to get yourselves back up pretty quickly and the boys are pretty upbeat and focused on this big game. It’s going to be a tough one but we’re looking forward to the challenge.”

Sunday’s defeat was Wigan’s fifth at home this year but they have not yet suffered back-to-back losses and they did the double over Hull KR.

Rovers will go into the game with their confidence boosted by last week’s derby victory over Hull FC – their maiden play-off success – and coach Justin Morgan believes they have the momentum.

“We were on the other end of the scale last year,” he said.

“We were beaten in the first week of the play-offs and I know what that does to your confidence.

“ I think we do have some momentum but whether it’s an advantage or not, only time will tell.

“History tells you that both teams that got beat in week one of the play-offs got beat in week two of the play-offs as well. I’m not going to say that history’s going to repeat itself but it’s certainly very difficult after a loss to bounce back.

“But Wigan have been the most consistent team all year, have won more games than any other team in the competition and the games that they have been beaten in, they’ve bounced back.”