Sunday, 17 February 2019:
Wigan coach Adrian Lam says his side are revelling in the role of underdogs ahead of their World Club Challenge clash with the Sydney Roosters.
The NRL premiers are heavy favourites to claim a fourth world title - which would equal Wigan's haul - with 13 of their grand final-winning players set to line up against the Super League champions in front of a crowd of over 20,000 at DW Stadium at 6am (AEDT) on Monday.
Trent Robinson's side comfortably beat Wigan in the 2014 clash in Sydney, but the Warriors beat Cronulla on home soil two years ago.
Lam says his players are happy to be written off before the ball is kicked but he knows Wigan will need to be at their best to win.
"No one's giving us a chance ... so to those people it's backs to the wall," Lam said.
"But I guess the one thing this club has been able to do in rugby league forever is to get off the canvas, and compete, and win the big games like this.
"To win we have to be a team committed to each other for 80 minutes and we need to do something that's a little bit different to what they are used to in the NRL, and play a more Super League style.
"It's a massive battle, a massive challenge and I believe our leadership group have the experience to rise on these occasions."
Former Roosters playmaker Lam, who worked as a coach with the Roosters juniors before taking the Wigan job, is under no illusions about the size of his side's task.
The visitors aren't treating the match as a trial with Robinson giving his players a run out against Wigan's bitter rivals St Helens on Friday in preparation.
"They are brilliant," Lam said.
"They've got a great coach, they've got some great leaders in the team and a game plan that changes every week. It'll be a tough game.
"We've got to stay in the battle the whole time and that is what Wigan are renowned for."
Halfback Cooper Cronk returns for the first time since off-season shoulder surgery, while Luke Keary has brushed off fears his leg injury would rule him out of the game.
Former Queensland and Australia playmaker Cronk has twice won the World Club Challenge with Melbourne and is a huge fan of the concept.
"I have been back in training since January so I have no concerns about the shoulder, it is fine," he said.
"Whether it's us or Wigan or anyone who plays this game, everyone reveres this game and the concept of it.
"The fact we've got the best two club teams playing for a world title is the only inspiration you'll ever need."
WORLD CLUB CHALLENGE TEAMS
Sydney Roosters (from): Mitchell Aubusson Nat Butcher, Lindsay Collins Boyd Cordner (co-capt), Cooper Cronk, Jake Friend (co-capt) Matt Ikuvalu, Luke Keary, Lachlan Lam, Isaac Liu, Joseph Manu, Brett Morris, Victor Radley, Siosiua Taukeiaho, James Tedesco, Zane Tetevano, Daniel Tupou, Sitili Tupouniua, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. (two to be omitted)
Wigan Warriors (from): Joe Bullock, Tony Clubb, Tom Davies, Morgan Escare, Liam Farrell, Ben Flower, Oliver Gildart, Joe Greenwood, Gabe Hamlin, Zak Hardaker, Willie Isa, Tommy Leuluai, Liam Marshall, Romain Navarrete, Sean O'Loughlin, Sam Powell, Dan Sarginson, Taulima Tautai, George Williams.
Referee: Ben Thaler (England)
