Taulima Tautai's bid to thank Shaun Wane with Cup glory

The 30-year-old was signed by Wane as a ‘project’ player for the 2015 season, and has since collected Grand Final and World Club Challenge winner’s medals.

And with many agreeing Tautai is a much better player for his three seasons so far under Wane, the former Wakefield forward acknowledges the improvements he has made.

When asked what Wane had helped him improve on, Tautai said: “What hasn’t he?

“I love attacking, that’s my main strength but Waney has taught me to balance it with my D.

“He knows I get excited about running the ball but he has shown me that if I can add a little bit of that to my D then I could be a whole different player and I feel like I have.”

Having played at Wembley for the first time in last season’s 18-14 loss to Hull FC, Tautai is desperate to return to the final and create memories as a winner, but Warriors will have to negotiate their way past Warrington in tomorrow’s quarter-final to keep that dream alive and achieve his aim of helping Wane to Wembley for the last time as Wigan coach.

“(Last year) was my first time at Wembley, you hear a lot of people talking about it but it’s not until you actually go you realise it’s such an amazing experience,” he said. “To get a win would be a lot better so that’s why we’re here this week. I want this to be a memorable year and there’s nothing more memorable than winning trophies.”