Rising Wigan Warriors star outlines the secret player/coach aiding his rapid rise

Wigan rookie Brad O’ Neill has praised “player/coach” colleague Sam Powell for not sulking over his Challenge Cup final heartache - and tipping him up on father skills as well as dummy-half play.

Hooker Powell misses the chance to win the trophy for the first time as he completes a six-game ban when his hometown club face Huddersfield Giants at Spurs on Saturday week. It is a cruel blow for the 29-year-old who was a Wembley runner-up in 2017 and has made more than 200 appearances for his beloved Wigan.

But teenager O’Neill has stepped up brilliantly in Powell’s absence. And in a whirlwind few weeks, he also celebrated the birth of his daughter Arabella just two days before helping Warriors defeat holders St Helens in the Cup semi-final.

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Asked how his team-mate had helped him during his enforced absence, O’Neill, 19, said: “Powelly’s been fantastic with me - on the field with learning and off it with the baby and everything!

“Powelly’s a credit to himself and the club with the way he’s been. He’s always had a smile on his face. He trains hard and has been like a type of player/coach to everyone. He wants everyone to get better. “He’s not sulking and is just getting on with it. He’s been great.”

With the experienced two-time Grand Final winner in his corner, it is little wonder O’Neill has gone from strength to strength after being thrown into the starting line-up in recent weeks.

“Powelly’s been massive for me,” he added. “Just in training but more so in the changing rooms. I’ve spoken about my nerves before. He helps with that. And at half-time he just checks in with me. If I need to do more of this or more of that, he’s just like