My Challenge Cup Semi Finals – Total Rugby League Predictions

UP for the Cup?

They certainly are, even if once again there has been no invitation to either semi-final from the RFL for one of the Hall of Famers who has consistently supported their flagship competition.

I’m not expecting Wembley on Saturday 8th June either, but I’m still looking forward to what will be the 123rd final – and I’m proud to say I was involved in the 84th in 1985, although I was at the 84th final. the losing side as Hull went down 28-24 to Wigan under the Twin Towers.

Even though the current powers have allowed it to lose its luster, I still love the Challenge Cup, with all its history, and going by the people I talk to, most of the current players do too.

Finals are rare, especially in the modern game, and I’m sure there will be an air of anticipation and excitement in all four semi-final camps this week as Hull KR, Wigan, Huddersfield and Warrington prepare to try and reach the one.

It was an oddity of the Super League fixture list that the four were involved in two round eleven matches, although they were different semi-finals, with Warrington beating Hull KR and then Wigan beating Huddersfield.

We now have Hull KR beating Wigan in the first semi-final on Saturday, before Huddersfield take on Warrington on Sunday.

Both are links that provide plenty of talking points.
Rovers versus Wigan is of course a repeat of last year’s semi-finals, when recent arrival Brad Schneider hit a golden point goal for the second game in a row (the first was against Leeds in the league) to send his side through at Wembley. .

Brad is now at Penrith Panthers and there have been a few other changes to the Rovers squad but it is still a solid core who will clearly remember the pain of the golden points defeat by Leigh in last year’s final and will be desperate for a win the chance to return to Wembley and try to bring the trophy to Hull’s east side for just the second time.

Wigan, of course, are the kings of the Challenge Cup, with that dramatic 16-14 final victory over Huddersfield at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium two years ago sealed by Liam Marshall’s late try, their 20th success in 33 finals, with no other club coming close. or count.

I’ve read that Saturday will be the 51st Challenge Cup semi-final and make no mistake, last year’s loss when they were holders will still rank.

Whatever Wigan say about it being in the past and this being a different game, I think they will want revenge.

And let’s be fair, that club loves Wembley and there will be even more motivation from the chance to get there for the first time since 2017 when they lost to Hull (and how long ago that must seem for the black – and white faithful after the decline of their club in recent times).

In terms of form going into the final, Rovers will have been sorely disappointed by their 20-8 defeat at Warrington on Thursday, when victory would have put them top of Super League, however briefly, for the first time.

That shows the progress made in recent years and while they fell short at Halliwell Jones after also losing at Catalans last month, other performances have been of real quality, as their recent league wins against Wigan and St Helens.

That also means Wille Peters’ side need not feel any intimidation going into the game, although the manager will be looking to address some defensive issues that were thrown against Warrington as Matt Peet will obviously be on the lookout.

As Super League champions, Wigan have already shown their desire to retain the title this year and, as I have often said, Matt has his team playing both entertaining and highly effective rugby.

This is a really intriguing semi-final in many ways and a very tough one to call, but with the pressure on Wigan, I just have a feeling that Rovers will do the job, and I say ten. – point margin.

While Rovers missed out on a top-of-the-table finish, Warrington (or should I say Sam Burgess’s Warrington, as their new name seems to be?) managed it with a second straight win and eighth in the league this season .

Sam certainly seem to be making their mark and they made a small Challenge Cup statement of intent with that convincing quarter-final win over St Helens.

They have a very decent recent record in this competition, with four wins in six finals appearances since 2019, although the last of those was five years ago when they beat the Saints.

A return to Wembley would be a big thing for Sam and the club, but Huddersfield will not be easy to overcome because while they have been huffing and puffing from time to time this year, on their day they are a good, with a lot of quality. in ranks and one that anyone can match.

They came agonizingly close to a final triumph at Tottenham and will have a real desire to reach another final, this time at Wembley, and go one better.

It’s another contest we’re looking forward to, and one that’s hard to predict.

I think Warrington, with George Williams and Matt Dufty at the fore, will have the edge and go through with 14 points to make it a Wolves-Rovers showpiece.

Trinity impresses

WHY can’t IMG and the RFL get their heads together and work out a broadcast deal for the championship?

I see that Sky Sports will be expanding their coverage of the English Football League next season, so why aren’t we looking to put something together for our competitions outside of the Super League?

I have already seen and enjoyed a few Championship games this year, most recently Bradford v Widnes.

And I have more in the diary, with quite a few invitations from various clubs, for which I am grateful.

I have to say I’ve been impressed with Matt Ellis’ work since taking over at Wakefield.

Relegation from Super League hasn’t let him down, and although we had initial concerns that he was talking too much, he is going so far, not just by funding great recruitment, but with impressive initiatives to make Wakefield public. on board.

And Daryl Powell’s side have clearly taken to the second tier well, with seven wins from seven so far.

Trinity have the advantage of being full-time, but they also know that they are the team that everyone else especially wants to beat.
They seem to take the right attitude to play outside the table and their target will be to remain unbeaten all season, while a high demand.

A sad goodbye

I would like to pass on my condolences to the family and friends of Roy Sharples, a great servant and supporter of Rugby League, particularly the amateur game, who has died aged 86.

Roy was a scrappy guy who was a Thatto Heath Crusaders and Lancashire ARL big man but always had the good of the sport in general in his mind.

I enjoyed my chat with Roy, whose love for our game really shone through, at the funeral of another BARLA servant, Maurice Oldroyd, last year, and I was very saddened to hear of his passing.

First published in League Express Newspaper Issue 3,430 (13 May 2024)

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