GIANTS playmaker Luke Robinson is hoping the losers medals collected at Wembley in 2009 will act as an inspiration to the side as they enter tomorrow’s Challenge Cup semi-final clash with Warrington Wolves at the City of Salford Stadium.
Seven of the current squad – Leroy Cudjoe, Eorl Crabtree, Keith Mason, David Faiumu, Kevin Brown, Scott Moore and Robinson – played in the Wembley showdown which the Wolves won 25-16 and the 27-year-old thinks that hurt can fuel another push for Wembley glory (5.30).
Robinson also knows the pain of being beaten in a Grand Final as in 2003 he was in the Wigan side who suffered a 25-12 defeat against Bradford Bulls.
“A few of us have a couple of losers’ medals at the club and I can tell you it is not great,” said Robinson. “My losers’ medals are shoved in the back of a drawer somewhere.
“And don’t believe what some people say about it being worse to lose in the semi-final – I can tell you from experience that it is worse to lose in the final.
“So we will have all the guys champing at the bit to get another chance to play at Wembley.
“It is a fantastic opportunity which you cannot miss.
“I grew up watching the Challenge Cup and to go back to Wembley and win would be just fantastic.
“But what we have to do is go and give a good account of ourselves tomorrow and get the right result.”
While the Wolves go into the clash on the back of a 15-6 win over Catalan Dragons, the Giants are looking to bounce back after a shattering 52-6 Super League defeat at Castleford Tigers.
“We don’t want to dwell on the negatives of the Castleford game too much, and I honestly don’t think that we will play that badly again this season,” said Robinson.
“I think it was down to a few issues which we have spoken about this week and had some clear the air talks.
“I think everyone now feels that bit better about themselves and we will go out and put on a much better performance.
“One of the major features of Browny’s (coach Nathan Brown) tenure at the club is that we have always given everything and we have always left everything on the field.
“When we have been beaten it has never been through lack of effort but because we have faced a better team.
“So hopefully against Warrington we will put a few things right and give a good account of ourselves.
“It is strange just how often we have locked horns with Warrington of late, and in big cup games or in the play-offs.
“In a weird way it has enforced a rivalry between us but they are usually great games and what a fantastic team they are.
“They have a lot of attacking weapons and a lot of strike players. You look at the likes of Ryan Atkins and Chris Bridge who have been great this season, but there is quality and dangermen throughout their squad.
“What we have to do is work on stopping those threats and do what we need to do to get a result.”
Robinson moved to the Giants from Salford in September 2007, but his knowledge of them will be of little use as Huddersfield make their first appearance at the City Reds new home.
“It will be a bit weird running out at a new ground,” said Robinson.
“Obviously I was a Salford player not so long ago, and when I was moving they were selling the new ground to me as a reason to stay.
“So it will be strange going back to a completely different ground, but I am chuffed to bits for the Salford supporters and the people at the club that they have got their new ground. So while I am looking forward to it, the situation will be a little bit surreal in the semi-final.
“Most players have been around a while and generally have a feel for the grounds up and down the M62 corridor very well, so to play somewhere where you don’t know the pitch or what the atmosphere is going to be like is going to be a little strange for all of us.”
