Rhinos rookie Ward relishing chance to replace McGuire

The precocious 18-year-old got his first close-up of Wembley yesterday when, with nothing more than a few stadium officials and assembled press looking on, he sauntered around the famous playing surface in the traditional walkabout.

When he returns there this 
afternoon it will be an altogether different prospect with more than 80,000 fans watching his every move as half-back Ward, who only made his senior debut in April, tries to help steer his home-town club to an elusive success in the sport’s most famous competition.

Faced with an experienced and skilled Warrington Wolves side, who have won here twice in the last three years alone, there will be quite a burden on his young shoulders as he replaces the injured Danny McGuire – a player many deem irreplaceable.

But Ward insisted: “I can handle the nerves.

“There’s a lot of hype with it 
being the Challenge Cup final but the game doesn’t change. It’s a game of rugby league.

“All the hype is going to be 
diminished when you get that first touch.

“I’ve been here many times as a fan and it’s brilliant just to look around. It goes up so high.

“I was here for Warrington and Wigan (finals) as a fan and I’ve run through my mind what it would be like as a player.

“Everyone does that and with being a young lad it’s good that it’s come so quickly. I’m just relishing it.”

If his Leeds colleagues – many of whom endured Wembley defeats in each of the last two seasons against the aforementioned Warrington and Wigan – can adopt the same attitude, there is every hope the club can finally bring an end to their dismal record.

The Rhinos have lost all five of their finals since last winning in 1999 but – the loss of England scrum-half McGuire to injury aside – have a fully-fit squad to call upon and there is a quiet belief they could upset the odds.

Ward, who will be playing only his 15th senior game, turned down the opportunity to tour Australia with England’s Academy to ensure he stood a chance of featuring in the showpiece.

His continually mature performances have persuaded coach Brian McDermott that he is ready for this assignment and Ward revealed: “I’m rooming with Danny McGuire, so he’s going to be tipping me up on things.

“It’s good to be with him. It’s unfortunate he’s not playing but I’m going to get all the help I can from Maggsy.”

Ward, who says he will relax beforehand by listening to music by Linkin Park and Nine Inch Nails, has combined his rise in the game with successfully negotiating his A-levels.

“I’m more nervous for this, definitely, though I would’ve got a slap round the ear if I’d not done well in my exams,” he said.

Captain Kevin Sinfield, who has endured four final losses, said: “Victory would be huge. But I’ll tell the guys to just go enjoy this. It’s our job but we all do it as we loved playing as kids.

“I’m a firm believer you play your best stuff with a smile on your face.”

Final build-up: Pages 6 & 7.