Huddersfield Giants forward Ryan Hinchcliffe admits he is eager to sample the Challenge Cup for the very first time this weekend.
NRL imports frequently discuss how the cup, something unavailable in Australia’s top flight, is a particular point of appeal when arriving to play in the Northern hemisphere, and after signing from Melbourne in the off-season, Hinchcliffe gets his first taste of the competition on Friday when the Giants fact Leeds.
And the forward admits that after watching the competition back home in Australia – often tuning in throughout the night due to the time difference – he is itching to play his first cup match this weekend.
“I followed some of the games and the finals which were played at Wembley, they are big events so we would tune in to watch those,” he told the club’s official website.
Hinchcliffe also said that he has been briefed on the history and the reputation of the competition from ex-teammates at the Storm, some of whom have played in Wembley finals in the past.
“I know that it is held with some high prestige from some other players that I know, who have come over and played in Challenge Cup finals that I played with at Melbourne.
“So I know the competition is held in very high regard and the opportunity to play in the Challenge Cup is something that I am looking forward to.”
