Giants can reach the Challenge Cup final – Brad Drew

Jul 22 2009 by Chris Roberts, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

FORMER Giants captain Brad Drew is urging his old club to rekindle the spirit of 2006 when the Giants face St Helens in their Carnegie Challenge Cup semi-final at Warrington next month.

Drew delivered a masterful display at hooker when Huddersfield booked their first Challenge Cup final appearance for 44 years with a 30-12 triumph over Leeds at Odsal in 2006.

That victory was regarded as being a major shock, but with the way the Giants have been playing during their march to third in Super League, the Australian believes Huddersfield can spring another major surprise against Saints on August 9 as they dream of reaching Wembley.

“Huddersfield are going to be the underdogs again but I’m sure they will be more confident of beating Saints than we were of beating Leeds three years ago,” said Drew, who is now at Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.

“They’re a much better team than they were back then and will not fear St Helens, that’s for sure. They are third in Super League on merit and know they can beat anyone on the day.

“The Huddersfield fans have a big part to play, too. They’re a passionate bunch who deserve success and this is a great chance for them to get behind the Giants in big numbers and cheer them all the way to Wembley.”

Drew believes it’s unlikely any of the Huddersfield players will succumb to the pressure of ending St Helens’ 18-match unbeaten run in the Challenge Cup, a sequence which includes a 42-12 victory over the Giants in the 2006 final at Twickenham.