Huddersfield Giants haven't beaten Warrington in three attempts this season and in order to upset the applecart and upset the expected top four party, that is exactly what they need to do.
At the Galpharm in February, Warrington won through narrowly - 14-10 before an outstanding performance in the Challenge Cup saw a demolition job. It was expected to be a close game, afterall the two clubs got to the 2009 final but it turned into anything but with Warrington winning by 60-4. The worrying thing for the Giants is that cutting edge centre Chris Bridge is back, and in form.
The England international scored five tries against the Giants in May and since returning to the Wolves first team panel he has scored 3 tries and 6 goals in two games. This has come after he was tipped not to play again this term after an injury sustained in June against Leeds.
The last time the teams met was at the Halliwell Jones Stadium and once again, Warrington had the upper hand winning 36-20.
Tries on that day for the Wolves came from Paul Wood, Chris Riley, Adrian Morley, Bridge, Chris Hicks (2) and Matt King while Bridge also weighed in with four goals. Huddersfield registered tries by Luke Robinson, Jomahl Lolesi, and Leroy Cudjoe (2) with Brett Hodgson booting a couple of goals.
Brett Hodgson is looking to continue the Giants recent form, which took an upturn after coach Nathan Brown performed a U-turn and opted to stay at the Galpharm for the rest of his contract after earlier saying that he was going to return to Australia.
The experienced fullback, who enjoyed a lengthy NRL career with Wests Tigers and picked up the Man-of-Steel award last year, will take up a two year contract with the Wolves in November but until then he is fully committed to the Giants.
Huddersfield have some usefl players. Wingers Leroy Cudjoe and David Hodgson have scored 23 and 25 tries respectively while at halfback there is an embarrassment of riches with Kevin Brown, Luke Robinson and Danny Brough all taking on the roles at various times this season. Robinson is a tough character who has also worked a lot at hooker this season with former Workington Town number nine Shaun Lunt. Lunt has bagged himself 11 tries while in a solid pack David Fa'alogo, Larne Patrick, Lee Gilmour, Andy Raleigh, Eorl Crabtree and Darrell Griffin have all made an impact with Keith Mason looking to do likewise if he can force his way into selection having served his three match ban for an incident at Wigan.
Warrington are perhaps even more explosive.
In addition to Bridge, Chris Hicks, Chris Riley and Matt King have all claimed 20 or more tries this season and even if they can be contained, Ryan Atkins could cause untild problems. The brains trust will probably lie with Michael Monaghan and Lee Briers after Richie Myler failed to recover in time from his turned ankle and the Wolves pack is among the best in Super League with Morley, Ben Westwood and Ben Harrison all very consistent while Paul Wood and David Solomona really add to the team from the bench.
All in all it looks like another interesting game in prospect.
Although bookmakers are tipping a Warrington win, we only have to look back a month for what was the Giants result of the season - an 18-16 defeat of Wigan in their own back yard! That in itself offers caution.
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