Huddersfield Giants and Hull Kingston Rovers head to Elland Road this Saturday to fight for a place in the 2022 Betfred Challenge Cup Final at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday 28 May.
The Giants are all set to compete in their first Semi-Final in ten years whilst Hull KR are in the final four for the first time since 2015. Huddersfield fell to defeat against Warrington in their last Semi-Final appearance whilst KR actually saw off Warrington in their most recent Semi-Final only to be beaten 0-50 by Leeds Rhinos in the 2015 Betfred Challenge Cup Final.
Despite appearing in seven Finals, the Robins have only lifted the Betfred Challenge Cup once in their history back in 1980 with a memorable victory at Wembley Stadium against cross-city rivals Hull FC. Defeats in 1981, 1986 and 2015 have followed since their last triumph in Rugby League’s oldest competition.
As for Huddersfield, they have enjoyed slightly more success in the competition having won six of their nine Betfred Challenge Cup Final appearances however their most recent came back in 1953. A defeat in the 1962 Final was followed by losses to St Helens and Warrington Wolves in 2006 and 2009, respectively.
The sides have enjoyed relatively similar campaigns so far in 2022 currently sitting 5th and 6th in the Betfred Super League, with the Giants just one point above Rovers thanks to a draw at Leeds over the Easter period.
Huddersfield have enjoyed some impressive victories already in 2022 with defeats of Castleford Tigers, last season’s Grand Finalists Catalans Dragons and their opponents this weekend Hull KR back in February, 26-12. Their Betfred Challenge Cup run so far has seen them travel to Betfred Championship’s Barrow Raiders before edging out Hull FC at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Hull KR recently enjoyed a run of four consecutive victories in the Betfred Super League with wins over Warrington Wolves, Hull FC, Toulouse Olympique, and Wakefield Trinity however they did succumb to defeat last time out against Leeds. In the Cup, they have already seen off Betfred Championship opposition in Leigh Centurions before knocking out 1986 Final opponents Castleford Tigers in the last eight.
Coach’s Comments:
Ian Watson (Huddersfield Giants)
“This weekend is really exciting for us as a club and as a team as well. It’s something that we wanted to achieve when I came to Huddersfield, to play in big games and continue being successful on the back of it so getting to the Semi-Finals in our second year here is a big positive and we’re looking forward to it.” – Watch full interview here.
Tony Smith (Hull KR)
“The Cup has got something special about it. The whole essence of it is turn up on the day and make sure that you focus in the right way and we’ve got to remember that this week.”– Watch full interview here.
Player's Thoughts:
Luke Yates (Huddersfield Giants)
“Seeing the stadium and guessing what the atmosphere will be like when it’s full with three games on here it’s going to be massive.” – Watch full interview here.
Shaun Kenny-Dowall (Hull KR)
“I think all the boys are really excited. Obviously, we’ve done really well to get to the Semi-Finals and we are looking forward to the occasion and especially at a great ground like Leeds United. Now we can’t wait to get out there on Saturday.” – Watch full interview here.
Squads:
Huddersfield Giants: Jermaine McGillvary, Jake Wardle, Ricky Leutele, Ashton Golding, Tui Lolohea, Theo Fages, Chris Hill, Danny Levi, Michael Lawrence, Josh Jones, Chris McQueen, Luke Yates, Joe Greenwood, Owen Trout, Sebastine Ikahihifo, Adam O’Brien, Oliver Wilson, Leroy Cudjoe, Olly Russell, Innes Senior, Jack Ashworth.
Hull KR: Ben Crooks, Brad Taikarangi, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Ryan Hall, Jordan Abdull, Matt Parcell, George King, Dean Hadley, Kane Linnett, Matty Storton, Jez Litten, Luis Johnson, Korbin Sims, Elliot Minchella, Jimmy Keinhorst, Will Dagger, Rowan Milnes, Will Maher, Ethan Ryan, Greg Richards, Will Tate.
Previous Betfred Challenge Cup meetings:
- 2010 (Round 4) Huddersfield 40 Hull KR 12
- 2008 (Round 5) Hull KR 42 Huddersfield 22
- 1973 (Round 1) Huddersfield 6 Hull KR 19
- 1962 (Semi-Final) Huddersfield 6 Hull KR 0
(at Odsal Stadium, Bradford)
- 1914 (Round 2) Hull KR 2 Huddersfield 17
- 1907 (Round 2) Huddersfield 17 Hull KR 0
Tickets are still available for this weekend’s Betfred Challenge Cup Women's and Men's triple-header at Elland Road. Get yours here!
