A Warrington Wolves’ win over Leeds Rhinos in Saturday’s Tetley’s Challenge Cup semi-final could play right into the Giants’ hands.
The Super League title-chasing rivals go head-to-head in the first of this weekend’s two last-four clashes at St Helens’ Langtree Park (2.30), with Castleford and Widnes ready to do battle at Leigh Sports Village 24 hours later.
And if Warrington emerge victorious and take their place in the Challenge Cup final at Wembley on Saturday, August 23, they now face the prospect of having to back-up at home to the Giants in a key Super League play-off battle five days later.
Former Giants coach Tony Smith’s Wolves were originally due to host Huddersfield on Saturday, August 30, but with Sky TV eager to show the encounter at the Halliwell Jones Stadium live, Warrington face a shorter turnaround – which could prove problematically for them, especially if they’re nursing Challenge Cup-winning hangovers!
“I’ve made no secret of the fact I’d like to see all four semi-finalists knock each other black and blue!” said Anderson, whose sixth-placed Giants are involved in a play-off battle with all four of this weekend’s Cup sides with four games of the regular Super League season remaining.
“We’ll obviously have a keen eye on how Widnes fare this weekend, because they’re coming to us the following Sunday.
“But it would create an extra challenge for Warrington if they reach the Challenge Cup fiunal and then have to face us the following Thursday.”
