Giants can reach the Challenge Cup final – Brad Drew

Jul 22 2009 by Chris Roberts, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

“There is bound to be a bit of an anxiety ahead of what is effectively an elimination game but these are the matches every player wants to be involved in and I’m sure the overriding emotion for Huddersfield will be excitement,” added the 33-year-old.

“If anything, the pressure is going to be on St Helens because they know they’re just one defeat away from ending that amazing Challenge Cup run.”

As well as experiencing the euphoria of a Carnegie Challenge Cup semi-final win, Drew is acutely aware of the pain that comes with defeat at falling at the penultimate hurdle having been a member of the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats team that lost 32-24 to Hull at Doncaster last year.

“That was a massive disappointment because we had a great opportunity to go to Wembley and we didn’t take it,” said Drew.

“As a player, you don’t get many chances to play at Wembley and I’m sure the Huddersfield players will grab this opportunity with both hands.

“It’s also important that they prepare in the right way. They can’t be happy just to be in the semi-final, they have to want to go all the way. Knowing many of the Huddersfield players like I do, I can’t see that being a problem.”

Drew also urged all supporters not to miss out on the opportunity to see the Wembley final on August 29.

“The Challenge Cup has been fantastic for me since I came to England, there is so much tradition and history in there and it’s going to be a brilliant occasion at Wembley,” said Drew.

“It would be great to see Huddersfield get there this year, but whoever makes it I’m sure it will be a match no rugby league fan wants to miss.”