THE man everyone likes to call 'Super Bennie Westwood' is on the verge of a big milestone.

If, as expected, he lines up for The Wire at Wigan tomorrow night, it will be the 500th appearance of an illustrious career.

Here is our unedited, unscripted chat with the man himself. Sports reporter Matt Turner asks the questions:

MT: So, 500 games. Have you surprised yourself with the longevity you’ve had?

SBW: Yeah, a little bit. I think I would have made it a lot earlier if I hadn’t been suspended so many times in the past. I’d probably be getting ready to mark 600 appearances!

READ: Mike Cooper backs 'one more year for Bennie Westwood' campaign

It’s great though and I feel privileged to play that amount of games in the sport that I love. I feel really privileged that I’ve been able to hit this milestone.

Warrington Guardian:

MT: We spoke before the season started and you said getting to 500 games was a target for 2018. To reach it having played in every game so far is brilliant for you, isn’t it?

SBW: I knew there was a chance I could do it this year, but obviously I didn’t know how many games I’d be played. I didn’t know whether I was going to be in favour with the new coach and so on.

I’m really pleased with how it’s gone this year, though. I’ve had a bit of a dig in training to get my body right and able to play in every game. I wouldn’t say I’ve surprised myself, but I certainly didn’t think I’d be playing every single game.

As you get older and you come to the end of your career, you just want to play as many games as you can at the highest level you can, so it’s really pleasing.

Warrington Guardian:

Westwood has played in every game this season. Picture by Mike Boden

MT: Would it be fair to say you have a new lease of life under Steve Price?

SBW: I’d say so. With a new coach coming in, it demands a bit more than when you have a coach who’s been there for a long time.

Training has been very demanding and intense, but I’ve been really enjoying it. I was given a role in the team and it didn’t start off too well. After the first couple of games, I was wondering whether it was the right thing for me to be doing.

READ: Fans' cherished memories of Super Bennie Westwood

After we got those out of the way, I feel as though I’ve been alright. The body is feeling good so I’m pleased to have played in every game so far. The target now is to play in every game for the rest of the season, which would be a great achievement for me. I don’t think I’ve ever gone a full season without having at least one ban!

MT: I don’t think I’ve even seen your name on the disciplinary chart yet!

SBW: I think I might have had one warning, but apart from that I’ve been squeaky clean which is good.

MT: It obviously would have been nice to hit the milestone in a home game – your 400th Wire appearance last year was a great occasion at the HJ – but is it nice in a way to do it at Wigan where you’ve had so many battles down the years?

SBW: I’ve said this before, Wigan is my favourite ground to play at apart from the Halliwell Jones. If I had to choose anywhere else, it would probably be there.

It’s going to be a great occasion for me, but more importantly we need the two points and to put in a real good performance.

Warrington Guardian:

Leading out The Wire with daughters Tyler and Gracie on his 400th appearance last year. Picture by Mike Boden

MT: I think Fozzie (Mark Forster) is on 458 appearances for The Wire now. You’re good mates, has he been in touch about maybe beating him?

SBW: I didn’t know that! I think I’ve got past Briersy…

MT: Well that’s the big one, isn’t it?

SBW: Yeah definitely, as long as I surpass him I’m not really bothered!

I never got the chance to play with Foz. He left just before I signed but I played against him a few times at Wakefield. We’re good friends off the field and we know each other, I’m sure he’ll be mentioning it in the lounges after the Catalans game next week.

He’ll probably have something to say about it, Foz. He’ll remind me!

MT: The “One More Year” camp is getting louder as the weeks go by. Have you had any more thoughts about playing on next year, or maybe beyond?

SBW: I’m trying not to think about it, but obviously it is at the back of my mind. I think it’s fair to say I think I can go one more year.

That is up to the coaches, though, and the Warrington club. We agreed early in the season that we’d have a chat later in the year, so when that time comes I’ll see how I feel.

Who knows? I might break down in the next couple of weeks, but the way I’m feeling at the minute is alright. We’ll have that chat when the time’s right and we’ll take it from there.

We’ll just concentrate on getting this season out of the way first and see what comes at the end of it.

MT: Finally…how’s the golf coming along?

SBW: I’ve just joined up at Alder Root, it would be nice to give them a mention as they’ve been good to me.

I joined up there a couple of weeks ago, but I haven’t been out as much as I’d have liked.

MT: Because you haven’t been banned yet?

SBW: (laughing) yeah that’s probably it!

I love playing and it’s good to get away from rugby for a bit. We’ve had some lovely weather so I’ve been playing a bit more over the past few weeks.

When I had my car broken into and they pinched my brand new clubs, I think it hit me harder than I actually thought!

I lost a bit of motivation to go out there but I’ve got a new set now so hopefully I can get my handicap down to single figures.

Briersy will probably laugh when he reads this, at the idea of me getting down to single figures!

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