Credit: SWPIX.COM
KELEPI Tanginoa has his eye on more history – by ending a current dynasty.
The back-rower is already written in folklore after being part of Hull KR’s treble-winning season last year.
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Kelepi Tanginoa has his eye on creating more history at Warrington, starting with dumping former club Hull KR out of the Challenge Cup. Credit: SWPIX.COM
Today, though, he is out to end all that by wrestling the Challenge Cup from the side that went on to be crowned world champions, meaning they hold the lot.
And the fact he will be up against mates counts for nothing. He wants to do it again with Warrington, who Rovers shattered in last year’s final.
The fact they were crestfallen at Wembley as Mikey Lewis’ last gasp goal sealed an 8-6 success for the Robins can only add to that desire.
Tanginoa said: “I was there last year. I enjoyed my time. I enjoyed the success that they had.
“But when you win trophies, you want an opportunity to do it somewhere else.
“Doing it at one club is great, doing it at two is something else, 100 per cent.
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“I like the feeling of winning trophies – that feeling is crazy.
“The best feeling was winning the Challenge Cup, then Super League, then League leaders, but I’m going to try and do what I did somewhere else.
“And my focus is we have to do something right now. We have to win something. That’s my mindset now.
“We’ve got to win some trophies and for me personally, I had the opportunity to come here and to play and when I heard they were keen to change a lot, I took that with two hands.
“We’re pushing for something now and the club’s recruited really well. Warrington have been in a few big games but just never iced them.
Tanginoa tasted Wembley glory at Rovers last year. Credit: SWPIX.COM
“But our resilience will pay back when it comes to big games.
“We’ve got so many young players and it’s building off the back of the likes of George Williams, Ben Currie and Luke Yates.
“We’re surrounded by good leaders in this team. We’re not done yet.”
Today’s clash may be a rematch of last year’s final, but it sees Lewis, the Hull KR talisman who sealed trophy number one of three, go up against Ewan Irwin, the Warrington youngster already being tipped for greatness.
And Tanginoa knows just how good they are, adding: “Mikey’s a good fella. I’ve a lot of respect for him and he’s a big asset to KR.
“He’s got a big future ahead of him, but what a player Ewan will be.
Tanginoa has tipped Warrington starlet Ewan Irwin for greatness. Credit: SWPIX.COM
“I’m excited to see where he’s going to be in the next year. What a talent.
“As it stands, we’ve got the best young players in Super League and they’re pushing to play each week as well. That’s probably what makes us good as well, We’ve got young players pushing to play, which makes us stronger.”
Tanginoa, 32, knows he will be among friends in both primrose and blue and red and white shirts at Doncaster.
For 80 minutes, though, business in business as he insisted: “It’ll be good to see my mates at KR again. I like to keep in touch with most of them.
“But the main focus now – they’re there, I’m here.”
