Wigan star Sam Walters rears his head about finally making a Super League bow – only to receive a ban

On the relief of playing again, he admitted: “It was a strange time so it was great to get out there. For 60 minutes I watched and it’s a semi-final so it’s back and forth, back and forth. You just want to be in that grind. Obviously, then we came and woke up a little bit.

“They were trying to chase the game, so I had to try to conserve my energy a little bit and deploy where I felt it was necessary. It’s a new role (off the bench) but I was happy to make my debut and get that one out of the way. I just want to build on that performance now. And he’s trying to push me into the team.”

Ironically, however, Walters was handed a one-match penalty notice by the match review committee yesterday for a high tackle against KR, so he misses Sunday’s trip to Salford. Forward Kaide Ellis also received a one-game suspension for dangerous contact. Walters will be available again when co-leaders Wigan face Warrington on Saturday week in a dress rehearsal for the Cup final on June 8.

On his chances of making his Wembley squad, he said: “I will do my own review and squad analysis and see what parts of my game I can improve on. Obviously, I’m probably not where I want to be yet. . That’s just the pressure I put on myself.

“I’m going to look at it and talk to the coaches and see what I need to do to be where I was. With injuries it’s a big setback: you can do all the training in the world, but nothing compares to actually playing. The fitness game is everything.”

With fellow back Willie Isa now facing an extended spell with his own injury, Walters has room to challenge teenage sensation Junior Nsemba for a starting spot. Meanwhile, even he saw the funny side of one of his first shifts on his Wigan debut. Walters was picked up and thrown onto his back by Mikey Lewis, the smallest player on the field.

He insisted: “I expected the pass to go to AK (Adam Keighran). But then it came back into me, so I was caught a bit by surprise. But obviously it was a nice welcome to the game!”