Saturday 13 February 2016 11:35, UK
Former Huddersfield and Hull KR full-back Greg Eden is hoping to use the Dacia World Club Series as a springboard to re-launch his career in Australia.
The Castleford-born player was granted a release from his contract with Hull KR at the end of the 2014 season to take up the offer of a two-year deal with Brisbane Broncos and fulfil his dream of playing in the NRL.
Eden is still waiting for his big chance 12 months on, having been forced to ply his trade with feeder club Wynnum Manly Seagulls throughout 2015, but he impressed enough in a pre-season trial match to earn a place in Wayne Bennett's 19-man squad for the clash with Wigan at the DW Stadium on Saturday.
Eden, once famously dubbed England's Billy Slater by then Huddersfield coach Nathan Brown, know he will not displace Kangaroos full-back Darius Boyd from the Broncos No 1 jersey but he is hoping to claim a spot on the wing.
"It's a good chance to get myself in there," Eden, who arrived in London with the bulk of the Brisbane squad on Friday evening, said.
"There's a wing spot open and there's a couple of us fighting for it. With a bit of luck I might get it. I'll keep working hard in training and wait for that call."
The Wigan-Brisbane game will be second up in the second World Club Series, which was dominated by the NRL teams in 2015.
Sydney Roosters, who launch the series at St Helens on Friday, and champions North Queensland Cowboys, who take on Super League champions Leeds in the World Club Challenge at Headingley on Sunday night, are all expected to triumph as the Australians eye another 3-0 whitewash.
Eden is expecting another close tussle at the DW Stadium after last year's game went to extra time and believes the gap between the NRL and Super League is narrowing.
"I think the Super League is getting better every year and I think it will keep getting closer if the World Club Series keeps happening," he said. "It would be good to see it grow.
"It's always going a tough game against Wigan. They're a top side and the conditions are going to suit them more than us.
"We're going to have to adapt, coming from a warmer climate and firmer grounds. We'll just have to practise all week in training and get used to it."
