NO doubt Trent Waterhouse would have found it tough viewing as St Helens overseas stars Sia Soliola and Willie Manu bowed out of England with Grand Final winners’ rings on their fingers on Saturday night.

“Not everyone can have the fairytale,” said the 33-year-old former Kangaroos Test back rower as he prepares for a return to Australia with his family after three successful seasons with Warrington Wolves that nevertheless ended without a Championship win.

“I thought we had a big chance this year because we started to get a bit of momentum and it was heartbreaking the way we went out of the semis to Wigan.”

Waterhouse, who said he will now ‘probably retire’, does leave with a Challenge Cup winners’ medal from the 2012 final at Wembley against Leeds Rhinos and with the knowledge that he has helped ‘a great club’ continue its rejuvenation towards a first title success since 1955.

“I came over here wanting to play in the big games,” said ‘House’, who figured in the 2013 Grand Final loss to Wigan but sat out the 2012 showdown against Leeds through injury.

“I wanted to play in the Challenge Cup finals and the Grand Finals and I got to do that. I’d have loved to have won a Grand Final but it wasn’t to be. However, to have got the chance to play at places like Wembley and Old Trafford was special.”

Waterhouse, after 82 appearances in primrose and blue, will leave with a heavy heart.

“It’s going to be sad to leave the place,” he said.

“It’s a great club with a great bunch of blokes. I can definitely see a lot of success for the club in the future and, if I’ve played some part in that, then that’s great.

“The whole place has impressed me while I’ve been here. I’ll take home with me some mates for life and some great memories for the rest of my life.”

Waterhouse said his decision to likely hang up the boots came as the 2014 season progressed, after an extension to his contract with Wolves became unlikely.

“We were going to see what happened and see how I was playing,” he said.

“Then I injured my knee and that probably knocked my cause. I probably knew it was time. My family are missing family back home so I think it’s right to head back.”

Waterhouse, who represented his state New South Wales five times as well as Australia on 12 occasions, is considering a move into coaching.

He would relish an opportunity to work with juniors at Penrith Panthers, with whom one of his 186 first-grade games between 2002 and 2011 was an NRL Grand Final win against Adrian Morley’s Sydney Roosters in 2003.

“I’ll probably retire now and get a proper job,” he said. “I’d like to stay involved in the game, maybe do some coaching.”

And he says he will talk about Warrington, England and Super League with affection when he arrives back in Australia later this month.

“I’ve loved it here – I’ve had a ball,” he said.

“The crowds here are great, the fans are passionate and it’s a good atmosphere at the games.

“I’ve always loved coming over here, as I came out on a few tours with the Kangaroos too.

“I’ll have fond memories of the place forever.

“There’s definitely a lot of talent in the game over here and the players in the England squad are world class.

“Super League is an improving competition too.

“And it’s the same over here as it is over there, rugby league is a great community sport. It’s played by down-to-earth people. People around rugby league are special.”

The pinnacle of his career was undoubtedly the 12 appearances in green and gold between 2003 and 2005.

He was on the 2003 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France, helping Australia to victory over the Lions in what was the last time the two nations contested an Ashes series.

The former Cambridge Park and Emu Plains junior looks back with no regrets on a stellar career that included, among the successes already highlighted, a World Club Challenge loss to Bradford Bulls in 2004 and becoming the first New South Wales player to be sent off in a State of Origin game in 2009.

“I’ve been blessed with my career,” said Waterhouse.

“I won a comp at home, got to represent my country and state, so I couldn’t have wished for more.

“I’ve got fond memories that I’ll have for the rest of my life and I’ve been very lucky.”