JOE GREENWOOD was one of three Saddleworth-based Rugby League players to feature in the St Helens starting line up against South Sydney Rabbitohs in the World Club Challenge.
Though Saints were soundly beaten 39-0 at Langtree Park, the 21-year-old second-row forward described playing in the game as a memorable experience.
Joe, who is still a relative rookie, said: “It was the biggest game of my career and it will stay with me the rest of my life.
“It was good our coach (Kieron Cunningham) had the faith to play me against the top club in the world and I was really proud to play in the game.
“As a kid, you dream of playing in games like this and sometimes they only come along once in a career so you have to seize the moment.”
The Scouthead-based Joe added that the only disappointment was the heavy defeat.
He said: “I thought playing in the derby against Wigan was a notch up from the Super League, but this game was 10 times harder.
“South Sydney were big, strong, quick and played a simple game whereas we tried too hard. It was a great experience and we will learn from it.”
Joe was joined by former Waterhead player Jordan Turner and ex-Saddleworth Rangers youngster Mark Flanagan in the Saints team against South Sydney.
“It was great for Saddleworth that three players from the area played in such a big game,” he explained.
Though Joe only made his debut for Saints in 2012 – it was in the Challenge Cup against home-town Oldham Roughyeds – he has still played in some big games.
He scored a last-minute try to secure a win for Saints against Wigan in 2013, the season in which he also played for Rochdale and Whitehaven to get big-match experience.
Joe, who attended Springhead and Knowsley Primaries as well as Saddleworth School, is just starting his fourth season as a first-team player for reigning champions Saints.
It is a far cry from starting out at Saddleworth Rangers at the age of five and remaining at the club until he was 18.
Elder brother James (23) is also a professional Rugby League player for Wigan and the pair have been opponents a number of times, and directly against one another as James is a prop.
Joe said: “There is rivalry, especially as Joe plays for the ‘pie eaters’. We played against each other in Academy matches and while I was at London Broncos last season.
“But they were nothing compared to playing one another for Saints against Wigan in a pre-season match recently.
“We played on the same as youngsters, but as opponents it was totally different. And as pack men, we are battling directly against each other.
“There is always banter before the game, but we wish each other good luck. You worry beforehand about going in hard and hurting him, but once the game starts you forget about that and treat him as any other opponent.
“Afterwards, we analyse the game and try to help one another to develop as players.”
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