Rugby League: John Wilson - We can't stop thinking about big game

Aug 23 2007 by Ian Laybourn, Liverpool Daily Post

AUSTRALIAN centre John Wilson admits the Challenge Cup final has been on the minds of the Catalans Dragons players ever since their memorable semi-final win over Wigan last month.

While coach Mick Potter attempted to get his players to focus on their attempt to climb away from the foot of the Super League table, Wilson has revealed they have been unable to stop thinking about Saturday’s Wembley showdown with St Helens.

“It has been on the back of players’ minds,” said the 29-year-old former Wests Tigers three-quarter, who is in his second season with the French club and has just agreed a new 12-month contract.

The Catalans, wooden spoonists in their inaugural Super League season, have taken most people by surprise with their Cup run but Wilson insists they can beat anybody on their day, as they illustrated with their recent 21-0 win over St Helens.

“When we play well, we’re a good team,” he said. “It’s a different competition to the Super League and we seem to be able to lift for it. It’s not unexpected because we back ourselves in most games.”