332 replies to this topic

[John Drake]

Discuss the Rugby League Carnegie Challenge Cup Final here.

Saturday 25th August, Wembley Stadium
Leeds Rhinos v Warrington Wolves

Also, for Twitter users, the official RFL Hashtag for the Cup Final is: #RLChallengeCup


Tickets are available from the RFL Ticket Office on 0844 856 1113 or visit www.rugbyleaguetickets.co.uk

[John Drake]

Wellens eyes Hardaker and Westwood for Lance Todd glory

Two-time Lance Todd Trophy winner Paul Wellens has highlighted Zak Hardaker of Leeds Rhinos and Warrington Wolves forward Ben Westwood as the men he believes are most likely to walk away with arguably the most prestigious individual award in Rugby League during this year’s Carnegie Challenge Cup final on Saturday August 25 (2.30pm).
The St Helens legend was awarded the accolade for stand-out performances in both the 2007 and 2008 Cup final victories, over Catalan Dragons and Hull FC respectively, and he believes winning the Lance Todd Trophy is among the greatest achievements of his career.
“To win the Lance Todd is a very special experience and what makes it even more special is to see your name alongside the likes of Alex Murphy and all the other greats throughout the years who have won the trophy,” said Wellens.
“When you’re playing you don’t think about yourself because it’s about the team and winning for the team so any individual accolades are just extras. But in years to come I know that winning the Lance Todd Trophy on two occasions will rank up there alongside the greatest memories of my life.
“Warrington have been in great form recently and there are three players who will be key to them getting a third win. Ben Westwood is a key player for their pack with the effort he puts in to get them on the front foot. Lee Briers and Brett Hodgson are also crucial to their game and will play a big part on the day.
“For Leeds, Kevin Sinfield always plays well for them and he’ll be a threat for the full 80 minutes. I also think players like Zak Hardaker could be pivotal in the game, he’s had a great season and has been fantastic at full-back since stepping in for Brent Webb and he certainly has the skills to stand out at Wembley.”
This year will see the Cup final played out on the famous Wembley pitch for the 70th time since the competition’s climax debuted there in 1929 and Wellens believes there is nowhere better to contest the Challenge Cup than the national stadium.
“The first few Cup finals I played in were all on the road at places like Twickenham and the Millennium Stadium,” he said. “Those were great experiences, but to be able to play in the first final at the new Wembley in 2007 was a very special moment for me and something I’m really proud to have experienced.
“Unfortunately I never got to play at the old Wembley, but to play there in 2007 was great. Wembley has an aura about it and a great history associated with it.
“When you go back through history to some of the greatest ever Cup finals, like the Hull final in 1980, you automatically associate games like that with Wembley. It’s because of that history that the Challenge Cup final belongs at Wembley.
“Everyone in Rugby League grows up watching the Challenge Cup final and it carries a very special history. It’s probably the one occasion when Rugby League really goes national and when people from other sports and general sports fans stand up and take notice. It’s a massive occasion for the game and to win the Lance Todd Trophy on that stage is amazing.”

[adelwire]

lets get this weekends games out of the way fiorst..injuries..suspensions. I dont want EITHER side to go throught he possible suspension for a player to miss the CC Final

[1976PMJwires]

lets get this weekends games out of the way fiorst..injuries..suspensions. I dont want EITHER side to go throught he possible suspension for a player to miss the CC Final

Agree, no injuries or suspensions.


I do like the idea of Westwood for lance todd

[southstand loiner]

its the type of fixture that throws all predictions out of the window

[Viking Warrior]

come on rhinos..............................

[GeordieSaint]

My free ticket is on the halfway line supposedly...

[terrywebbisgod]

My free ticket is on the halfway line supposedly...

How will you get onto the pitch to get it?

[GeordieSaint]

How will you get onto the pitch to get it?

Parachute; I may or may not be part of the display team...

[terrywebbisgod]

Parachute; I may or may not be part of the display team...

[jaaymar]

He'll be kicking his legs in the air and waving his pom-poms as usual

[chuffer]

only 5 days to go....this week's gonna drag....

[John Drake]

Experienced Wolf eyeing Cup glory

Warrington full-back Brett Hodgson is relishing the chance to make his second appearance in a Carnegie Challenge Cup final when the Wolves travel to Wembley Stadium to take on Leeds Rhinos in the competition’s showpiece event on Saturday August 25 (2.30pm).
Hodgson was on the losing side when Warrington won the first of their two back-to-back Cup finals against Huddersfield Giants in 2009 and having joined the Wolves in 2010, the wily full-back is determined to make amends for past experiences.
“Losing the final with Huddersfield back in 2009 has only made me want to win the final more,” said Hodgson. “This is my second chance and I want to make it count.
“Playing at Wembley is an amazing experience, nowhere else has an aura quite like it and having the opportunity to play there is something I will never forget. Growing up in Australia I was definitely aware of the stature of the Challenge Cup and now to be playing in my second final is fantastic.
“One of the most special things about the Challenge Cup final is the fans - the atmosphere they create on the day is unreal and will definitely spur us on.
“Winning the Challenge Cup would be up there as one of the highlights of my career so I’m very excited for the game.”
Warrington go into this weekend’s game having won five of their last six games in Super League but the former State of Origin representative says they can’t take anything for granted against a strong Leeds team.
“We’ve hit some good form of late and hopefully we can take that into the final,” he said. “We’re going well in the league as well and a few people have mentioned Warrington doing the double, but we are not thinking about that.
“Leeds will be playing their third consecutive final and they’ll be determined to win after their recent final defeats so we know we will have to be at our best on the day to come away with the trophy.
“We will train hard all week and give ourselves the best opportunity possible going into the game and fingers crossed we can leave with a victory.”

[Honor James]

Ooops! Just posted the same as above.

:-)

Edited by Honor James, 20 August 2012 - 02:08 PM.

[southstand loiner]

Ooops! Just posted the same as above.

:-)

so you are indeed john drake in drag as many of us suspected all along

[BBR]

After the contrasting efforts this weekend I really really hope Leeds win it

[my missus]

don't care who wins as long as they kick the ###### out of each other, and get a couple of players each sent off. but seriously i hope it's a full house and a great game.

[GeordieSaint]

Anyone know how ticket sales are going? Hoping for a big noisy crowd!

[chuffer]

so you are indeed john drake in drag as many of us suspected all along

[Futtocks]

Really looking forward to this. It may have to be on the radio, unless I've got a new TV by then, but even so...