Baloo could be a lucky Cup omen

Mar 13 2008 by Chris Roberts, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

PAUL ANDERSON will represent the Giants at tonight’s Carnegie Challenge Cup fourth-round draw – in a bid to bring his club some knockout luck!

The former Great Britain prop has an outstanding record in rugby league’s most famous Cup competition, having savoured final delight with both St Helens and Bradford Bulls.

Anderson was in the Saints side that beat the Giants in the 2006 final at Twickenham, and both Super League clubs go into tonight’s fourth-round draw, which will be broadcast live on BBC Radio Five Live at around 7.25pm.

And Huddersfield coach Jon Sharp is hoping having assistant Anderson at the draw will prove a lucky omen.

“Baloo has a great affinity with the Challenge Cup, and I think it’s fitting he’ll be there representing us tonight,” said Sharp.

“But we also hope his presence brings us a bit of luck. He’s been one of the most successful players in the Challenge Cup in the modern era, and I hope that can rub off on the Giants as a side.

“Let’s hope he can give us something to smile about after our name’s come out of the hat and he can remain our lucky Challenge Cup representative right up to the final!”

The 12 Super League clubs join 20 other sides in the fourth-round draw with the dream of reaching the final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, August 30.

The 20 include 17 National League teams, as well as three from France, who are joined by French Super League side Catalans Dragons.

The full list of clubs in tonight’s draw are Huddersfield, Hull, Wakefield, Leeds, Harlequins, Catalans, St Helens, Hull KR, Castleford, Wigan, Bradford, Warrington, Hunslet, Batley, Celtic Crusaders, Featherstone, Pia, Toulouse, Doncaster, Leigh, Whitehaven, London Skolars, Dewsbury, Rochdale, Barrow, Salford, Lezignan, Oldham, Swinton, Widnes, Workington, Halifax.