Previews

Surprise sides contest final

Author: Brandon Barker
Date: 27/08/2009
Rugby League betting

For the non-rugby league enthusiasts, two strange names will appear on their television screens for their traditionally annual taste of the sport in the form of the Challenge Cup Final.

Huddersfield Giants and Warrington Wolves are the unlikely contestants of the biggest spectacle in club rugby league across the globe, after underdog victories in the semi-finals.

Who will lift the trophy? - Latest Rugby League Betting

The Giants' defeat of St Helens in their semi-final spelled the first defeat for Saints in the Cup since 2005, ending their three-year stranglehold on the silverware.

Though the surprise of the tournament, the Giants have had a magnificent season and were to be written off at the peril of any opponent.

With a reformed Luke Robinson pulling the strings at half-back and Brett Hodgson providing the occasional touch of magic from deep, Huddersfield have shaken off their tag as a unfashionable workman-like team to become one of the best attacking forces in the league.

With a strong defence and their trait as an uncompromising, physically big side, the Giants are a complete team as any.

Young second row Danny Kirmond has been ruled out of the final, opening the door for fit-again Andy Raleigh to dust off his suit.

Head coach Nathan Brown is sweating on the fitness of strike-man Stephen Wild, who is nursing a knee problem.

Warrington Wolves have suffered two losses since their semi-final defeat of Wigan Warriors, though their stars have been given plenty of rest ahead of their trip to Wembley.

Head coach Tony Smith has revived the careers of import duo Michael Monaghan and Matt King, who flopped since arriving from Australia. But in 2009, they've become important attacking influences under the leadership of Smith.

Captain Lee Briers is sure to come out all guns blazing as he looks to follow up his man of the match semi-final display with a Lance Todd trophy win from stand-off.

Warrington will be reliant on powerhouse prop forward Adrian Morley punching holes into the Giants' defensive line if the trophy is to return to the Cheshire outfit for the first time since 1974.

The England front-rower has been in devastating form all season, matching Leeds' counterpart Jamie Peacock as the top prop in the country.

The match could well be decided on how well the Giants handle the star-studded attacking line-up of the Wolves.

If the Yorkshire club can handle the likes of Briers, King, Monaghan, Ben Westwood, Vinnie Anderson and Richie Mathers, then they should be betting favourites to take the trophy back to the Galpharm.

Warrington have to score plenty of points, as their defence isn't as reliable as Huddersfield's.

So expect plenty to be crossing the whitewash on Saturday, though the outcome is too difficult to call, as reflected among online betting.

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