TWO of Australia's most talented centres are ready to go head-to-head in Sunday's big Challenge Cup clash between the Giants and St Helens at the Galpharm Stadium (3.00).
Huddersfield will be looking to fit-again Kangaroos Test ace Michael De Vere to inspire his side to victory against a Saints team boasting the threequarter firepower of Jamie Lyon.
The battle between the world-class duo is expected to be one of the highlights of this weekend's exciting showdown.
De Vere knows how big a threat Lyon will pose.
But the new Giants hero is determined to make a big impression on his debut in rugby league's most famous knock-out competition.
"In so many ways, this match is very exciting," said De Vere, who marked his debut against Salford by setting up the first try and kicking five out of five goals.
"For a start, I'm looking forward to coming up against Jamie.
"He was my old roommate with the New South Wales State of Origin squad and I've always got on well with him.
"I know I'll need to be on my game against him, because he's a dangerous player and if you don't keep your eye on him he'll make you suffer.
"But I don't intend that to happen.
"I've always watched the Challenge Cup final from a very early age back in Australia, and I've alway dreamed that one day I'll be playing in it.
"This is the first step towards that ambition.
"Obviously, first hurdles don't come much tougher than St Helens.
"But we've had a good week's preparation, and hopefully that will pay off on Sunday."
De Vere is delighted the tie will be at his new `home' at the Galpharm Stadium, when he will be going for a hat trick of wins in Huddersfield.
Before Monday's win over Salford, De Vere was on the scoreheet for Australia against Great Britain in the 2003 Test in the town.
And he is hoping that with the backing of the Giants fans, he can make it three victories out of three at the stadium.
"The British fans are very vocal and I know the Giants supporters can give us a big lift on Sunday," he added.
"I've done well on my two games at the stadium, and I would love that record to continue against Saints.
"We're well aware of how tough it's going to be, but we're all looking forward to what should be a great game."
If De Vere and the Giants are successful, Huddersfield will be in the fifth-round draw which takes place on Sunday, April 3, at approximately 5.00 following the encounter between Wakefield Trinity Wildcats and Hull at the Atlantic Solutions Stadium.
HUDDERSFIELD are aiming to end a run of six successive Challenge Cup defeats against St Helens on Sunday.
That includes the 46-6 loss in last year's semi-final at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on April 25.
Huddersfield's last Cup victory over the current holders was a 5-0 first round away win in 1968.
Giants coach Jon Sharp's side will also be looking for revenge after losing 34-24 at St Helens in this season's engage Super League third round.
On a happier note, the last time Huddersfield lifted the Cup was in 1953 when they beat St Helens 15-10.
Huddersfield's last Super League defeat of St Helens was 36-22 at home in the 2003.
The complete list of Challenge Cup meetings between the clubs are (round in brackets) is:
1912-13 (1): St Helens 0 Huddersfield 19.
1914-15 (final): Huddersfield 37 St Helens 3 (at Oldham).
1923-24 (2): Huddersfield 24 St Helens 13.
1936-37 (1): St Helens 4 Huddersfield 11.
1952-53 (final): Huddersfield 15 St. Helens 10 (at Wembley).
1953-54 (2): Huddersfield 12 St Helens 5.
1961-62 (2): St Helens 2 Huddersfield 13.
1967-68 (1): St Helens 0 Huddersfield 5.
1971-72 (2): St Helens 32 Huddersfield 9.
1977-78 (3): St Helens 31 Huddersfield 5.
1980-81 (1): Huddersfield 8 St Helens 10.
1993-94 (4): Huddersfield 16 St Helens 23.
2001 (6): St Helens 54 Huddersfield 16.
2004 (semi-final): St Helens 46 Huddersfield 6 (at Warrington).
WINNERS of our Powergen Challenge Cup competition were: P Jackson, Kirkburton; J MacDonald, Newsome; A Wilson, Shelley.
They correctly stated that St Helens are the Challenge Cup holders, with each winner picking up a pair of tickets, courtesy of sponsors Powergen and the Examiner.
