Tommy Leuluai tucked up in bed in a sauna blanket to get right for Wigan’s big day - and then turned up the heat on heartbroken Huddersfield.
The veteran Warriors captain, 36, was supposed to be crocked for 12 weeks with a knee injury.
But he got back in SIX to help steer them to a record-extending 20th Challenge Cup success.
“I lived like a nun for three weeks,” admitted the Kiwi half-back as wobbly Wigan snatched a late, late win at Tottenham.
“I didn’t touch any of these (beers). I did extra training, swimming, supplements, altitude chambers, ice baths… I literally went full whack.
“The club bought me a sauna blanket and I jumped in that every night.
“I said to the wife I need to do all I can to give the team a chance and she deserves special thanks. She’s got three kids at home!”
But inspirational Matty Peet, the proud Wiganer who’s won a major trophy just months after becoming a head coach, also warranted credit.
Leuluai said: “He showed a lot of trust in me and I’m so glad I could repay him.
“He’s a good coach. He’ll be around for a long time. He’s exceeded my expectations. And I had great expectations for him.”
Still, favourites Wigan needed Liam Marshall’s 77th minute try to rescue them after spirited Huddersfield looked set to win the Cup for the first time since 1953.
After Leuluai’s raking pass, scrum-half Harry Smith slid in a perfect kick for the winger to send Warriors fans crazy.
Classy Smith, 22, had already crossed in the first half but was pipped to the Lance Todd Trophy by Giants’ tireless Chris McQueen.
Wigan legend Leuluai said: “Harry was outstanding.
“I just came into the halves and said ‘you take control: I’ll just back you up.’
“And he produced a massive play. I told him it was his game. He showed great composure, came up with a line break, scored a try and set up the winner.
“Part of my role when signing again this year was to kind of bring Harry on. Maybe my job’s done.”
That was Leuluai’s second stint off the bench after initially unexpectedly arriving at hooker when error-ridden Wigan could hardly put a foot right in the first half.
“Matty told me I’d have 25 minutes at the back end,” he recalled.
“So I was sitting back relaxing! But I could tell we were a bit nervy and he thought maybe my experience could help.
“I managed to calm it down a bit. Then I was getting a rest but Cade Cust did his elbow so I was back on. I hadn’t really trained in the halves. But Harry took over.”
Jai Field scored Wigan’s other try, Ricky Leutele, McQueen and Jermaine McGillvary crossing for Huddersfield, who lost England prop Chris Hill to an early injury.
But whereas Smith converted twice, Tui Lolohea booted just one of his FIVE attempts to leave Giants short.
Boss Ian Watson thought Wigan’s Morgan Smithies could have been sent off for a second high tackle.
But he was only penalised and indefagitable Warriors sneaked home.
