Q&A session with Warrington Wolves icon Ben Westwood

Here, he talks about why he feels the game has "gone soft," which teammate he is predicting a bright future for and why his love of golf is starting to show again.

In the above video, you can watch what happened when our video was invaded by a few of Bennie's teammates and assistant coach Lee Briers, with hilarious results.

We play Hull KR for the fourth time this year on Saturday, how does the team approach this game?

John Knox

BW: In the same way we’ve approached the last three!

It’s always a tough place to go but we’ve come away from there with some good results this year.

They will have a bit more motivation with the new coach coming in but we’ve got to concentrate on what we do and getting our plays right.

If we can do that, hopefully we’ll come away with a decent win.

The Wire have won twice at Hull KR this season. Picture by Mike Boden

What are your first impressions of Luther Burrell?

Dwayne T Robinson

BW: He’s a pretty big guy, isn’t he? He’s been very successful in rugby union – obviously it’s a different game but they’re not too dissimilar.

He’s from a rugby league background so hopefully he can pick it up quite quickly and we’ll see what he’s got.

He’s a nice chap and has mingled in pretty well. We’ll probably see the best of him next year but it’s exciting times for him.

Luther Burrell. Picture by Mike Boden

From what you’ve seen so far this year, is this Wire team any better placed for a Grand Final win compared to past seasons?

Dave Smythe

BW: Definitely – it’s Pricey’s second year in charge and he’s changed plenty of things.

The addition of a few players – Blake will want me to mention his name at some point – will give us a really good chance.

I know we’ve not been scoring tries like we normally would but we’re learning to grind out a win and be happy with that. You need to be able to do that to win finals

It’s exciting times for Warrington – whether it’s this year, next year or in five years, the fans are always going to be entertained.

We’ve cemented ourselves as one of the top two or three clubs in Super League and that Grand Final win will come at some point, no doubt.

Ben Westwood and Tom Lineham after last year's Grand Final loss to Wigan. Picture by Mike Boden

Who’s catching your eye among the current crop of Wire youngsters and why?

Ash Spencer

BW: Does Philbin still count as a youngster? I think we’re getting to see the best of him at the minute.

It’s taken him a few years to get to where he is but I think he’s going to be great for us over the next five, six, seven or even eight years.

I really enjoy watching him play – he hits hard and goes all out and I like that.

Josh Thewlis came in and did a good job for us last week as well – 17 is a young age to play Super League, especially these days.

We’ve got youngsters training with us all the time so the future is looking good.

Bennie has earmarked Joe Philbin for a big future with The Wire. Picture by Mike Boden

With disciplinary being the way it is now, has the game gone soft?

Paul Bennett

BW: Very much so. I know times change but I feel fans come to watch the big collisions.

When you see State of Origin, they promote that game with all the fights they’ve had and that’s what people get excited about.

I’m not saying we should start fighting all the time but we’re seeing penalties given for stupid things.

It’s not my kind of game, but it is what it is. They want to speed up the game and cut all this nonsense out but there’s some of it that I don’t think people enjoy watching as much as they used to.

Which opposition player have you had the best battles with over your 20-year Super League career?

James Massey

BW: It’s been no secret that I love playing against Wigan, especially at their place.

I’ve had some real good tussles with Gareth Hock – we got the best of each other.

He was a real tough bloke to handle. He was all knees and elbows, a bit like myself actually.

We’re good friends off the pitch as well and that’s what I like about this game – even though we’re mates off the field we’ll go hell for leather at each other on it

When you’ve heard fans singing the ‘Super Bennie Westwood’ song in a match, have you ever secretly joined in?

Joe Mercer

BW: I sing it all the time at training. I expect the players to be singing it when I walk into the changing rooms, and they do to be fair!

It’s always nice when you get a song like that about you. It never gets old.

Have I ever secretly joined in? Once or twice!

When you eventually retire, would you like to go onto the backroom staff?

Matthew Ward

BW: It is something that I’d be quite interested in. I started helping out with the women’s side this year and I’m enjoying that.

We’ll see what happens and if there’s anything available, but hopefully I’ll be sticking around and they won’t be getting rid of me that easily.

How’s it been helping out with coaching the Wolves ladies’ team?

@Jodie85 (Twitter)

BW: I got asked to do it and I wondered what it would be like.

From the first session, they got stuck into it. We did the trials and they were running in as hard as they could.

We played Barrow the other week and our hooker broke her nose, but she strapped it up and went straight back out there.

Because they’re quite new to the game – we had players from other sports willing to give it a go – we were coaching them from scratch.

There were plenty of bad habits that we had to coach out of them so when you see things you’ve taught them come out in a game, that’s the rewarding side of it.

They all rip in and have a dig and listen to us most of the time! We’re doing well at the minute but we’ve got a big game in the Challenge Cup in a few weeks’ time that we’re training hard for.

Westwood helps with the coaching of the Wire Women's team alongside namesake Lee. Picture by Mike Boden

Now you’re at the back end of your career, how do you hope you’ll be remembered as a player?

Phil Watson

BW: I hope I’ll be remembered as someone who gave their all on the field and a gentleman off it.

I feel as though I’m a decent person and try to do good things off the field, as we all should.

I’ve had a good stint here over the years and I like to think I’ve done alright.

Ben Westwood salutes the Wire fans after his 500th career appearance. Picture by Mike Boden

If you could turn back time and change any moment in your career, which moment would it be?

Bob Taylor

BW: Good question that! I probably would have got my driving license quicker than I did!

Rugby wise, I never got that Great Britain cap that I wanted. There were a couple of opportunities that I messed up.

When I grew up, that was the one everyone wanted. In 2005 I got a chance and I blew it by going out.

Then in 2007 – the last time they did a GB team – I got kicked out of the camp.

I’d change that because that was the thing I wanted to do as a kid.

What’s on your bucket list away from rugby league?

Dan Roberts

BW: I want to have a holiday to Brazil while I can afford it!

There’s some things in the pipeline I’d like to pursue but I won’t say too much in case they don’t come off.

When I do retire, I think I’m just going to enjoy a year of doing nothing. I’ll sit and relax and enjoy watching Warrington rather than playing.

I’ll keep myself ticking over just in case I’m needed to make a comeback.

Do you still play on guitar much and what sort of stuff do you like to play?

Jen Daniels

BW: It’s always in the corner of my room. It had been a long time since I picked it up but in the past few weeks I’ve started getting it out again.

It’s just learning how to do the songs and my fingers aren’t the best at the minute for the chords.

In the past month or so, little things are starting to come back. I wouldn’t say I was Eric Clapton or anything like that but I could play a few songs.

What’s your advice for a good round on the golf course?

Mike James

BW: I don’t play as much as I did – last year I didn’t play at all.

From when I broke my hand in 2016, it has been very weak and I couldn’t grip the club.

I got to the start of pre-season and I thought I needed to get it fixed because I couldn’t grip anything.

I went for a cortisone injection in it and that was all it took – it disappeared!

I played my first round the other day and I shot an 81 – I hadn’t even practiced. I might have got the bug back.

What is the proudest moment of your career?

Steven Dolman

BW: There’s a few. My England debut was one of them – that’s something we all want to achieve in our career.

2009 and 2010 were highlights – 2010 moreso because I got to walk out with Tyler at Wembley.

Katherine Jenkins was there talking to her and she was really into her singing. To see her face during that was brilliant.

I managed to sneak her up to the royal box as well and we’ve got that picture with the trophy – that’s a good one.

Getting to 500 games was special as well, and it fell on Wigan away.

Westwood with daughter Tyler in Wembley's Royal Box after winning the 2010 Challenge Cup Final. Picture by Mike Boden

The full video of Bennie's Q&A can be found here