IT really is a case of 'Moore the merrier' for one of Wigan's latest Aussie recruits.
Tough tackling centre Danny Moore has won every honour Down Under but has an equally burning ambition to repeat the medal haul in England with the Warriors.
The former Manly star should not have to wait long to achieve his first goal of playing at Wembley after John Monie's men bundled out the holders St Helens.
Wigan are are hot favourites to dispose of London Broncos in Sunday's semi-final at Huddersfield and resume the mantle of cup kings, which they held with such distinction for eight memorable years up to 1995.
Centre Moore admits playing in the Challenge Cup was one of the reasons he moved to England and chose Wigan.
"The Challenge Cup is a knockout against top opposition and it is all we in Australia really know about the English competition. We realise the prestige it holds here and the world over.
"It is one of the motivating factors in coming to Wigan. We are just one step away from it at the moment but we will take it one step at a time."
Moore is quick to reject that Wigan will have an easy passage against the Broncos.
"It is 17 against 17. Sheffield took it to Castleford and no one expected them to triumph after Castleford's big wins over Leeds and Bradford so that just shows the motivation is there for the players."
Looking back after the St Helens clash 26-years-old Moore believes there is still plenty of room for improvement. "We had to arm wrestle each other for most of the game. We made a few slips in the first-half that didn't help our cause and it was just a matter of keeping our heads down and keeping the task at hand for 80 minutes and we did that.
Moore, who has signed a three year deal, played a key role in the win scoring a vital try just before the break and creating the gap for Jason Robinson to race 70 yards to score shortly after the break. But in true professional style he was equally critical of the way he spilled the ball.
"I was unhappy with a couple of things and it didn't seem to go right for me with the ball in hand. It is just one of those things. There were a lot of numbers in the tackles and a lot of hands in everywhere so I have got to make a point of keeping the ball secure.
"But it is very nice to have someone like Jason Robinson outside me especially when you get a half opportunity and a quality player like Jason can ensure that it gets finished off like it should be finished off.
"The try just sort of happened. It was just one of those things, the defence was spread a bit and I just happened to run into the hole and the ball happened to be there.
"Opportunities like that you just have to take in a game." Moore believes the Wigan team can only go from strength to strength.
"We have previously met first division sides but it is a knockout competition and we had to go out and prove ourselves. We are a new squad with five new players here and we have to work on getting together as a team and that was probably what the last six weeks have been - a learning experience for all of us.
"We are still a long way from being where we really want to be but each week we have made an improvement and that is our goal at this time of the year. If we can do that at the start of the season it puts you in good stead for the close of the season." Moore has a wealth of experience and is not overawed when facing the big games.
"I have played in three Grand Finals 1994, '96 and '97, four Test matches and four State of Origin. I had a great opportunity to play in Sydney in some pretty big matches. Those big games help you when you play in crunch games.".
"I am getting settled now. I am steadily getting into the swing of things and my wife has been out here for a couple of weeks and we have enjoyed every minute of it so far. It is a big change coming half way round the world. It's a different hemisphere and we had to leave a lot of things behind. Coach John Monie believes that although Moore is not well known in England people will quickly realise he is a super star.
"He is a similar capture to Andrew Farrar who I brought to Wigan in my last season here. He is big, strong and powerful.
"They have vast experience as first graders in Sydney and have played in the big games."
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