James Harrison on taking the final step towards 'completing Wembley'
PLAY, score, win. The ultimate Wembley Stadium checklist for a player in any sport.
James Harrison has done all of those things in what has been a relatively short career to date – it could be said that he has, as the youth of today would say, 'completed it, mate.'
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Indeed, he did it all in one game for Featherstone Rovers back in 2021 as he touched down for a try against York City Knights to help them lift the 1895 Cup in a game played as a curtain-raiser to the Challenge Cup Final between St Helens and Castleford Tigers.
However, the fact he's yet to leave the national stadium with a Challenge Cup winner's medal means there's still a piece of the jigsaw to fulfil.
'Playing there with Featherstone – we won and I scored in that one – so I've nearly completed Wembley,' he said.
'There's just the one thing missing.
'It's mad playing there. We obviously experienced it last year so now we know what to expect.
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'It's always a great occasion and historically, playing there is probably the pinnacle of rugby league in England.'
James Harrison scored a try in Featherstone Rovers' 1895 Cup Final win at Wembley in 2021 (Image: Ed Sykes/SWpix.com) Having featured in last year's final defeat to Wigan Warriors, Harrison is now gearing up to run out onto the hallowed turf for the third time, making him something of a 'Wembley veteran.'
And for a player who will always naturally be compared to his father Karl – himself a prominent name in English rugby league from the 1980s and 1990s – that's something he'll always be able to hold over the old man.
Harrison Senior won Premierships and Great Britain caps during his playing days while he was also a Super League head coach at Salford, he never quite got that big day out at Wembley.
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Now, though, his satisfaction comes in following the burgeoning career of his son wherever he goes – even if it hits him hard in the wallet!
'My Dad never actually got past the semi-finals in the Challenge Cup,' he said.
'With me getting to Wembley in back-to-back years, he's told me I'm costing him a fortune!
'He came out to Vegas to watch us and now it's Wembley again – the family are getting a load of minibuses to get down there so there will be a few of them.'
Harrison's father Karl was a Super League head coach with Salford Red Devils having represented Great Britain as a player (Image: Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com) Now, having experienced both sides of a Wembley final, the 28-year-old is desperate to make his latest big occasion more akin to his first than his last.
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He was in the starting Wire side last year as they were beaten by Wigan – and he is clearly itching to right that wrong.
'Last year hasn't been spoken about really but individually, I think we've all thought about it. I certainly have,' he said.
'I got a taste of it last year and it was one of the toughest days I've had to take a loss like that.
'That being said, I can't wait to get back there now.'
A dejected Harrison following last year's Wembley defeat to Wigan Warriors (Image: Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com) They were not favourites against a Wigan side that ended up completing an unprecedented 'quadruple' of trophies, and they will likely play the role of underdogs again as current Super League leaders Hull KR await under the famous arch.
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Much the same as Warrington's 70-year wait for a league title, the Robins' failure to win a trophy of any kind since 1985 has been the subject of terrace mockery but having established themselves among the elite, they will sense a glorious chance to silence those taunts.
Harrison and his teammates are well aware of what is coming their way – indeed, they got a taste of it a fortnight ago in Super League – but he insists a confident group will be heading down the M6.
'It's going to be a great occasion – we'll take loads of fans and I'm sure Hull KR will as well,' he said.
'They're a world-class side with world-class players across the board.
'They will fancy it but with the players in our group, we fancy it too.'
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