LONDON’S hopes of a successful season hinge on the Carnegie Challenge Cup game this coming Sunday.
The Broncos have had a torrid season to date, winning just two games against Castleford and Wakefield, which means they lie joint bottom with Widnes on the Super League ladder.
Their position does come as a surprise after they spent big in the off-season to bring in some stellar Antipodean names.
Former Australian internationals Antonio Kaufusi and Craig Gower, 2011 Australian NRL Grand Final winners Shane Rodney and Michael Robertson, as well as former Crusaders key man Michael Witt have all been added to the side.
And with emerging talents Kieron Dixon, Dan Sarginson and Jamie O’Callaghan all breaking into the Broncos back line, things should really be looking up for the club.
Last weekend’s closely-fought 29-22 defeat to Bradford Bulls shows London do have it in them to run teams close.
But a massive improvement from their 22-16 win over Batley in the last round will be needed if they are going to be in the hat for the semi-finals this Sunday.
ROB Powell will know full well the importance of the Carnegie Challenge Cup if he is to stay in charge of London.
The top-flight’s youngest coach has not set the world alight since he took the reins from predecessor Brian McDermott last year, ending up near the foot of the table in his first season in charge.
After Chairman David Hughes invested the full salary cap on the 31-year-old this time around, more success will be expected.
And the Cup appears to be the only avenue left if the Broncos are going to make an improvement on last year’s major shortcomings.
CRAIG GOWER could be the man to stir up an upset against the Giants.
The former dual code international scrum-half may be 34-years-old, but his experience is key to the Broncos, especially with such a young three-quarter line at their disposal.
If Gower and fellow half-back partner Witt are on their games this Sunday, it could prove a difficult task for Huddersfield to get past them in their quest for Challenge Cup glory.
