Hardaker is looking for another ‘miraculous’ triumph

The prolific young centre shot to fame with a stunning run of form at the back end of last season, culminating in a try-scoring appearance in their Grand Final win over St Helens.

He was only supposed to be ‘bedding’ himself in after moving from part-timers Featherstone Rovers but his progress was so swift he lined up to help defeat Manly in the World Club Challenge this February.

At 20, Hardaker has since also shown his versatility by effortlessly converting to full-back when Brent Webb was sidelined by injury in June.

The standards of his performance were such that he has kept the spot ever since, meaning the fit-again experienced Kiwi international is not even in Leeds’ 19-man final squad today’.

While many of Hardaker’s team-mates have suffered horribly in this competition, he has no such nightmares casting shadows over him at Wembley this afternoon, a venue you fully expect him to grace.

“Hopefully, I can tick another box off,” he told the Yorkshire Post, with a confidence of someone who, understandably, has no fear of defeat.

“I know I’m still only 20 but it’ll be great to get as many trophies as I can as soon as I can. Hopefully, we can achieve another miraculous win in Super League and at Wembley too and I can sit back and think ‘we’ve done it again.’ Only time will tell and we know it will be tough as Warrington are a class act – but we’re all looking forward to it.”

In one of his few setbacks, Hardaker was denied a place in last year’s final after Kallum Watkins shrugged off a knee injury to take the rookie’s place against Wigan.

Coach Brian McDermott had to have the talk no player wants to hear but it clearly has not hindered his progress.

As for his new role, Hardaker admits he was surprised he retained the slot when Webb – a three-time Grand Final winner with Leeds – returned.

“Everyone was asking me what would happen but I didn’t know myself,” he explained. “I thought I might end up back at centre or who knows.

“I didn’t know what Mac was going to do but he’s stuck with me and I’m really grateful.

“I can only show him how grateful on the pitch. Me and Mac have that thing of he’ll put faith in me and I’ll try repaying him. Hopefully, he keeps picking me and I can keep playing well at full-back.”

Given that Webb is leaving at the end of the season, full-back could be the England Knights star’s long-term position.

His running game and eye for space is clearly suited to full-back, where he also gets his hands on the ball more frequently, something he hopes to utilise on Wembley’s vast expanse.

Hardaker admitted they had a “good rant and rave” at each other at half-time when they trailed Warrington 30-6 in their last meeting in June.

It promoted a commendable fightback – they lost 37-18 – but he knows only a thunderous opening today will see him complete the clean sweep.