TERRY O'Connor is rated very doubtful to play in Wigan's World Club Championship opener against Canterbury Bulldogs on Monday.

The prop-forward, whose consistent performances made him an ever-present last season, is still suffering from an ankle ligament injury.

"O'Connor will be given every chance but he will not play unless he is 100 per cent fit," said coach Eric Hughes.

"We have very tough games against Brisbane and Canberra and he will play in those."

The Warriors prop injured his ankle against former club Salford Reds and aggravated it when he returned against Halifax.

Hughes added that the media Down Under had written them off and it would be nice to follow in the cricketers footsteps.

"It was nice to hear that the cricketers are doing well and we are hoping to do the same. The cricticism has inspired the lads more than ever. They are in bouyant mood and the Aussies will do well to remember what happened the last time they wrote us off against the Brisbane Broncos."

Wigan have not yet named their side but after successive five Super League wins it is almost picks itself. The only doubt is in the subs where a shoulder injury to Stuart Lester may mean Hughes preferring Paul Koloi to the Kiwi forward.

Wigan (probable): Paul, Robinson, Connolly, Radlinski, Johnson, Wright, Smith, Cowie, Hall, Hansen, Haughton, Cassidy, Farrell. Subs: Cardiss, Holgate, Tallec, Lester or Koloi.

St Helens forward Julian O'Neill will ensure Auckland Warriors are treated with the greatest respect when they get the European leg of the Visa World Club Championship underway at Knowsley Road tonight.

The 23-year-old prop forward was signed in the close season from the Warriors and, knowing the Auckland players inside out, is as baffled as anybody by the Kiwis' disastrous performances which make them favourites for the first Australasian Super League wooden spoon.

He said: "It's hard to believe they're at the bottom. When you look at side, on paper it is virtually a Kiwi international team.

"You can't take them lightly, there are so many tremendous players, real good forwards and great finishers in the back line.

"I obviously know them all, how they play and what to expect, and they know the same about me."

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