Huddersfield Giants will host current holders Hull KR in their Fourth Round Betfred Challenge Cup tie on Saturday – and for Tui Lolohea, the competition offers a welcome shift in focus.
It has been a difficult start to the year for the Giants, to say the least. Luke Robinson’s side remain without a win in the Betfred Super League and have been forced to navigate an extraordinary injury list, with as many as sixteen first-team players side-lined in recent weeks.
But if there is one competition capable of resetting the mood around a club, then it's the Challenge Cup – a tournament steeped in tradition where a run of wins can quickly transform a season.
For Lolohea, the arrival of cup week brings a sense of excitement despite the adversity Huddersfield are facing:
“We do get excited for Challenge Cup week,” he said.
“The situation is tough at the minute but in this competition, you play a certain amount of games and you could be into a final.
“It’s a different competition. It’s a really big competition over here and I’ve learnt that since being in this country.
“It’s probably bigger than the Super League.
“We’re taking on the current holders and that’s a big ask with the situation we’re in, but it’s a challenge that everyone should be excited for. It’s a do or die game and it’s whoever turns up and performs on the day.
“It’s anyone’s game on the day.”
Saturday’s meeting will see a rematch of the 2022 Challenge Cup semi-final where the Giants beat the Robins 25-4 to reach their first final in 13 years.
Lolohea recalls his memories of that day:
“What a day that was at Elland Road,” the Huddersfield half-back said. “We put in a complete 80-minute performance and did the basics so well. The game plan that we set out, we stuck to it, and we dominated.
“That feeling after the game, holding the sign up that said, ‘you’re going to Tottenham’; it was an unreal feeling.”
Indeed, it was. Huddersfield travelled to the capital to take on Wigan Warriors and looked on course to lift their first Challenge Cup trophy since 1953.
It was a thrilling contest with the Giants leading 14-12 with just minutes left on the clock. The Warriors kept up relentless pressure, however, and came from behind to snatch victory at the death with Liam Marshall’s late try – in turn crushing Huddersfield’s hearts.
Two years prior, Lolohea also featured in the 2020 Challenge Cup Final for Salford, but, again, was denied cup glory when Luke Gale struck a dramatic drop goal to win the game for Leeds Rhinos.
While both of these defeats ended in disappointment, the experience of playing on the big stage is something Lolohea still reflects on fondly.
On the Tottenham final, he said:
“It was unreal. It's probably the best stadium I've played in, in terms of facilities and size and everything. The whole build-up to it was class. To lose on the day was devastating, but what an experience it was to play there and in a Challenge Cup Final. The weather was outstanding, all the fans turned up and it was a great occasion.
“The way we lost was pretty heart-breaking, but that’s rugby league for you.”
Of the 2022 Challenge Cup final team, only Lolohea, Joe Greenwood and Olly Russell are still at the club today.
Playing in the COVID final, Lolohea commented:
“It was a weird one, we were in the game, and then it came down to that drop goal, and a dropped ball over the try-line for us to not win the game. It comes down to small margins, but these defeats make you more determined to get there and win.
“It doesn't matter what sport you play; you want to win trophies. That's everyone's ultimate goal at the end of the day.”
Hull KR will make a second successive trip to the Accu Stadium this weekend after coming away with a 32-6 victory in Round 4 of the Super League last Sunday.
Their cup tie will be streamed live on The Sportsman (K.O. 3pm).
Looking ahead, Lolohea is good spirits:
“It’s a great opportunity on Saturday. It's a do or die game. It doesn't matter how you're going in the league – you turn up and perform and it's anyone's game.
“What better way to play against KR, the current holders and Super League champions? An upset would be nice…”
Can Huddersfield turn their season around? It’s a tough ask, but not out of the question…
It's Betfred Challenge Cup Finals Day at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 30 May 2026. Book your tickets here today and enjoy our early bird prices!
