St Helens' Mike Bennett insists he has grown accustomed to his back-up role for the team.
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St Helens' Mike Bennett insists he has grown accustomed to his back-up role for the team.
The 27-year-old forward has proved a key squad man in Daniel Anderson's pack this season, and he started in the Carnegie Challenge Cup final victory over Catalans Dragons in August.
Having worked his way back from a serious shoulder injury last season, Bennett is eager to prove his worth again at Old Trafford at the weekend.
He has made 15 Super League appearances this season, and is not troubled by the lack of acclaim he receives.
"Your Sean Longs and your Keiron Cunninghams, they're your flair players and I'm more of your grafter," he said. "I work hard but you need a mix in every team and I'm happy with that role.
"I've always been pretty confident in my ability and every coach I've had seems to have liked the way that I've played and I've always been in their plans.
"Last year through injury I missed out a little bit but I've come back this year, everything has been good and I've played a lot of games. The club has treated me very well."
Prestige
Saints are just one game away from an unprecedented repeat clean sweep of the trophies and Bennett admits the lack of media coverage the game gets is frustrating.
"Personally, it does grate on me a bit, but maybe that's because I'm biased," he added. "At the weekend, win, lose or draw, England against France will get all the headlines but this is our big moment and it would be nice for people to take notice.
"I'm probably a bit biased but I think that rugby league is the best crowd sport in the world, it just doesn't get the press it deserves.
"Sometimes I have to pinch myself though. It's fabulous to be involved and play a sport you love. But, when you play for a club like St Helens it's always a challenge, always something to do and achieve, so I'll have to wait until I've retired to have a proper look back at what we've achieved."
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