THE man they called ‘Blocker’, Steve Roach, only played 20 games for Warrington but he became a World Cup winner during that time.

Kangaroos Test prop Roach joined Warrington on a short-term deal in 1988 between Balmain seasons and four games into his stint at Wilderspool he was flying back to Australia after being selected for his country in their victory against New Zealand in the World Cup Final.

Roach was back in Warrington colours a week later to forge a power-packed front row with fellow props Les Davidson, Steve Molloy, Tony Humphries and Les Boyd at various intervals before returning to Balmain in February for the new ARL season.

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That wasn’t the end, though, as he flew halfway round the world at Warrington’s request to play for the team in the Challenge Cup semi final against Wigan at Manchester City’s Maine Road ground at the end of March.

Roach produced one of his best Warrington performances as the boys in primrose and blue gave Wigan a real fright before Joe Lydon’s audacious 60-metre drop goal broke all hopes of a Wembley appearance.

Roach remains the only player to have appeared in a World Cup match for Australia while on Warrington’s books.