Captain Fantastic John Asiata says Leigh Leopards’ history boys are determined to become new Wembley legends.

All roads lead to the capital on Saturday as Leigh line-up against Hull KR as the Betfred Challenge Cup final returns to the National Stadium for the first time since 2021.

Only two Leigh skippers-Walter Mooney in 1921 and Alex Murphy half a century later- have lifted the Challenge Cup since the inaugural final in 1897.

And Mooney’s men did it at the Cliff in Broughton, Salford, two years before the ‘old’ Wembley opened.

Now Asiata and Leigh’s Class of 2023 look to complete a hat-trick of cup triumphs and the first for the club this Century.

Already enjoying a best-ever Super League campaign, including last Sunday’s first win at Leeds in 39 years, Asiata says: “This season, with regards to history, there are lots of records we have already broken.

“We keep ticking off these milestones. The challenge on Saturday is going to be different to every other game so far but it is exciting.

“You have got to have fun and embrace everything that comes with it because who knows this may be your first… and last.”

Leigh has gone cup crazy for Adrian Lam’s squad since last month’s epic semi-final victory over St Helens.

And the Australian born Tongan AND Samoan international has come to understand what the competition means to the area.

“You can see how in the community everyone is buzzing. It is unreal.

“The last time the team was at Wembley was 1971. There are many fans who went to the ‘71 final who are still here now and are going to watch this one.

“It is exciting to see the town get behind us. But we knew they would do that because they have done it all year.

“Where ever our games are they come and support us no matter how we are going.”

Asiata is ready to shrug off a niggling shoulder injury to make foes of friends for 80 minutes.

“It’s been a problem all year,” he said of the issue.

“I just hit too hard and hurt myself more than the opposition,” smiled Asiata who played alongside Rovers’ Kane Linnett in North Queensland Cowboys’ 2015 NRL Grand Final win over the Brisbane Broncos.

KR centre Tom Opacic is another ex-Cowboys’ team mate while he was a junior at Sydney Roosters when Shaun Kenny-Dowall was in his pomp.

“We have shared a few messages already,” acknowledged Asiata.

“When Kane won (in the semi-finals) I sent him a message saying congratulations and he did the same.

“Outside of football, we are all friends. On the field, for those 80 minutes, we go to war. After that we shake hands and are friends again.”

Leigh earned plaudits for fielding a near full strength side at Headingly after Rovers named six debutants in a virtually unrecognisable team for a 64-6 defeat at Wigan.

Josh Charnley and Zak Hardaker were absentees at Leeds but should be fit while with Ricky Leutele injured and Oliver Gildart ineligible Ed Chamberlain could get the nod alongside Hardaker in the centres.