2009 is the year of the Giant. Those slumbering cobblestone streets of Huddersfield are about to awaken in a throaty roar and it’s not before time.
Forty-seven years since the birthplace of 13-man rugby’s last Wembley appearance the club at the the heart of the Northern Union is on the verge of making it back again. They have undergone a transformation since the arrival of Australian coach, Nathan Brown, adding spine, consistency and discipline to their undoubted talent. It’s a potent mix and one that ought to prove too strong for an under-strength and inconsistent St. Helens’ outfit
“We don’t have to fear St Helens. We’ve just got to go out there and have a crack.”
The Huddersfield pack is emboldened, with Saints on-loan hooker, Scott Moore, and props Keith Mason and Eorl Crabtree turning in top performances and attracting the attention of England coach, Tony Smith.
That West Yorkshire six looks likely to better a Saints pack, which is weakened by injuries to Maurie Fa’asavalu, Jason Cayless, James Roby and Keiron Cunningham. Whilst the latter two may shrug off injury woes to return, the fact that the Saints are prepared to take that gamble underlines the lack of experienced depth in their current six. Despite encouraging showings by youngsters such as Matty Ashurts and Andrew Dixon, they are likely to be no match for the Giants who are hungry to avenge their disappointing 2006 Challenge Cup final defeat at Saints’ hands (42-12 at Twickenham).
Former Saints’ prop, Mason, is adamant the Giants have nothing to fear, stating:
“We’ve got a great coach and some great players and the transformation over the last 12 months has been unbelievable. We’ve gone from near the bottom of the league to the top. “I think St Helens are vulnerable. A lot of players left and a lot of good players are getting old and moving on. … St Helens might not be as good as they have been.”We don’t have to fear St Helens. We’ve just got to go out there and have a crack.”
The Saints undoubtedly have other ideas. Whilst they may be wounded and in transition, they are still top of the league and more than capable of turning on the style to swamp the opposition if they sense a sign of weakness.
What they have yet to prove under the reins of new coach, Mick Potter, is that they retain the killer instinct. The drive and desire to overcome all obstacles to win. That desire was embodied by stars now departed: Chris Joynt, Paul Sculthorpe, Tommy Martyn.
And of course Sean Long. The talismanic half back has been absent for four weeks with a broken jaw, but is rumoured to be set to make a shock return to the starting line-up for this game despite the encouraging form show by replacement, Kyle Eastmond.
If that happens and he sparks the Saints offence to life – an offence that was made to look stodgy and unimaginative by the Wigan Warriors in Friday night’s last gasp victory – then the Long legend will be augmented further as he continues his farewell tour. Long of course will leave to join Hull FC next season. It’s perhaps Long’s kicking game that the Saints have missed most, with Eastmond needing to work on his tactical kicking as he continues his development as England’s scrum half in waiting.
Whether the Saints will risk Long, who reputedly cannot close one eye because of nerve damage arising from the jaw injury, remains to be seen. indeed many Saints fans will question the wisdom of displacing Easmond who’s displays have show rich promise and who would appear to match-up well against Luke Robinson at halfback.
It’s in the pack the game will be won though and James Graham is emerging not only as a prop forward but as a real on field leader for the Saints. His fiery spirit and non-stop effort will need to be to the fore if the Saints are to prevail.
So, whilst my heart says the Saints will find a way to win, I think the resurgent Giants will make this ninth consecutive cup semi final one to forget for the Merseysiders.
And that’s got to be good for rugby league, whilst parity has yet to engulf Super League we have seen this season that on their day any club can beat any other club, and that home field is no longer such a clear cut advantage. Seeing a new name on the trophy board and a new city enthused by the game is a bonus that the RL can only hope for.
Of course fellow semi-finalists, Wigan and Warrington, will have something to say about whether that tale has a happy ending or not.
Ian Bridge
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