Places in the Carnegie Challenge Cup semi-finals are up for grabs this weekend. And BBC Sport will be broadcasting - live on television, radio and this website - Hull KR's clash with Warrington Wolves on Saturday from 1730 BST and Huddersfield Giants' tie against Castleford Tigers on Sunday from 1515 BST. Ahead of the BBC double-header, we gave you the chance to put your questions to Warrington's Australian centre Matt King. Thank you for your questions. Matt answers the best below:
How old were you when you started playing and what is the most important lesson that you have learnt in your years in the game? Charlie Mercer, Warrington I was seven years old when I started playing and although it is often said, the best advice I can give is work hard and if you do that, good luck often follows. Who have been the most inspirational figures in your career from a junior to your current club? Geoff Hick, Wakefield I've got five older brothers and two of them played first-grade rugby league so I looked up to them when I was growing up. When I was at the Melbourne Storm, the coach Craig Bellamy taught me a lot, not just about footy, but about life. Given the recent off-pitch controversies in the NRL, have you noticed a big difference in the club culture among players in the Super League compared to the NRL? Ryan McGill, Melbourne, Australia Rugby league players in Australia are under much closer scrutiny than they are here, even though players here know how to have a good time. There have been some very serious off-field incidents in Australia recently but there have also been some incidents which were maybe blown out of proportion by the media. But I think players in Australia need to wise up and realise that they are role models and they have to behave like that 24/7. How difficult did you find the transition from living in Australia and playing NRL to living in the north of England and playing in the Super League? Stephen Dakin, Bristol Looking back now, I didn't fully realise how tough it would be. It's not just things like the change in the weather and the lifestyle to what I had in Melbourne, but also how difficult it was leaving the Storm. I had spent five years there and it was like when you leave senior school. It was a difficult transition for me to be the new boy at Warrington and took quite a while for me to settle down. What is the biggest difference between Super League and the NRL? Daniel Bissett, Caernarfon, Wales Last year this was an easier question to answer because you often had a tough game followed by a few easier ones and you could get away with maybe not playing at 100% all the time. This year you can't do that as the Super League is a lot closer and more like the NRL. Teams have stepped up this year and it is now a tough competition week-in and week-out which is a good thing. After taking a while to settle, do you feel happier with the way things are now and your current improving form at Warrington? Mike Ward, Warrington Any improvement on last year's form was always going to be good and I'm enjoying it more now. I found myself being asked questions early on last season about my form and I struggled to believe in myself. I felt a lot of pressure and I probably didn't deal with it in the best way, but now we are all starting to know each other better and the team is benefiting.  Out of the shadows: King has emerged as a key player for Wolves |
Considering the amount of flak you have had from Warrington fans since you first pulled on the jersey, there must have been a massive temptation to walk away. What made you stay? Ant, Warrington I'd be lying if I said the thought of leaving Warrington hadn't crossed my mind but I'm glad I stuck it out and Tony Smith coming in as coach has helped my confidence and my form a lot. I signed a four-year contract with Warrington and where I'm from, signing a contract is right up there with a handshake and I think my decision to stay has been vindicated. Will you be staying with us next year? It would be a great loss to the team if you go. Gareth Shaw, Warrington I'm settled in England now with my wife and we have bought a house. Australia will be where we end up eventually but for now, this feels like home and I will remain to see out my contract. Since Tony Smith has come to Warrington why do you think your performances have been getting better? Lee Roberts, Warrington Tony has rekindled my love of working hard. He is big on the little things in the game and working hard individually and for the team. What aspect of Super League has surprised you the most since coming to the UK? Andy Bushell, Cheshire The atmosphere at the games is fantastic and although I had heard a lot about it before I came here, it was something special to experience, both from the home and away fans. It is like being at a rock concert. Do you think it's fair that Australian based Super League players aren't considered for selection by the Australian Kangaroos? Do you still have international ambitions? Jamie, London I think it is unfair because at the end of it all, we are playing the same game. It is probably being used as a deterrent to stop people moving away from the NRL. I'd love to be considered for the international team again but there are some great youngsters coming through. What has been your best game for Warrington since you arrived? Chris, Warrington I think it was our win over Bradford at the Halliwell Jones last season. We came from 12 points down to win 32-28 and I had a hand in a couple of the tries, as well as scoring one. It was a great team performance. What is your favourite position and who would be your dream three-quarter partner past or present. Liam Beckett, Warrington Although I've played both centre and wing, I prefer playing in the centres and I would love to have the former Australian rugby union and league international Loti Tuqiri playing alongside me. He is a super-quick and very strong player. If you could sign any two players for Warrington, one from Super League and one from the NRL, who would they be, and why? Matt Dent, Didsbury I know it sounds biased but Greg Inglis would be the NRL player. I played with him at the Melbourne Storm and he is very gifted and does things that other players couldn't do. Of Super League players, the Hull KR full-back Shaun Briscoe would be my choice. He is a reliable full-back and doesn't make too many mistakes.  It's in the hair: King says he plays better with long locks |
Who is the toughest and strongest trainer out of the Warrington team? Graeme, Warrington There are two - in the gym it is Mickey Higham but on the field it is Paul Rauhihi. Me and my son follow the Wolves and we agree that when your hair gets bigger the better you become; do you agree? Danny Cameron, Warrington Last year my hair was short and I didn't have the best of seasons and I won the Grand Final in Australia with longer hair so maybe there is something in that. Are they real curls or have you had a perm? Leon Cox, Swindon (Ex Warrington) They are definitely real - my parents always made me eat my crusts when I was growing up! Warrington have arguably the best team on paper (bar St Helens), what do you think is missing to make this side a real title contender? Matt, Warrington I'm not really sure. At the start of the season we struggled and it was tough for everyone involved with the club. Since then and with the arrival of Tony Smith we have shown a lot more resolve and improved our defence a lot and we are now winning games because of our defence. In the past, the club has focused on attack but maybe our defence will be what gets us a trophy. How are you getting on with Richie Mathers after he tried to take your head off last year? Dave Turner, Warrington People made a big fuss about us playing at the same club but he is a good fellow. After I regained consciousness after the incident between us, my first recollection was of him standing over me apologising and it takes a big man to do that. When we met for the first time at Warrington I came towards him with my hands covering my head as a joke before we shook hands. How would winning the Challenge Cup at Wembley compare with winning an NRL Grand Final? Mark Chadwick, Warrington They are the top prizes in sport in their relevant countries and it is hard to put one above the other. Winning the NRL Grand Final was very special and I know that there is a lot of history involved in the Challenge Cup so a trip to Wembley and winning that would be special too. Of the sports, Rugby League, Aussie Rules, American Football and Rugby Union, which one do you find the most entertaining to watch? Penri Tomos, Pembrokeshire Rugby league wins it hands down because it is the only game I have really known. Having spent five years in Melbourne, Aussie Rules comes a close second because it is so popular there. It is a skilful and fast game but I still prefer rugby league. Did you ever find the elusive 'king size' Vegemite pots you couldn't find when you first arrived in Warrington and have you savoured the local delicacies like black pudding and Ardern's pies? Dave Ditchfield, Warrington After I did an interview last year saying I couldn't find Vegemite I was sent a 2.5kg pot of it which I am still getting through. I've not tried black pudding yet - I don't think I could stomach it but I am fond of Nando's chicken although I stay away from the chips! AND FINALLY, THE QUESTION WE ARE ASKING EVERYONE THIS SEASON: Which of your Warrington team-mates would you most and least like to be stuck on a desert island with? Garreth Carvell would be very handy because he is so big and if it got cold we could cuddle up together and keep warm. I wouldn't like to be stuck with Paul Rauhihi or Ben Harrison because their jokes are so bad. Their jokes also get worse the more they tell so that would drive me mad.
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