Challenge Cup 2013: Warrington vs. Huddersfield Full Preview and Prediction

Where: Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington

What: 2013 Challenge Cup Quarterfinal

Who: Warrington Wolves vs. Huddersfield Giants

When: Sunday, 14 July, Kickoff at 11:15 p.m. ET/16:15 p.m. BST

With three semifinal places still up for grabs, the Warrington Wolves will play host to the Huddersfield Giants this weekend, hoping to outdo their Super League neighbours.

As things stand in the Super League table, the Wolves sit in third, just a single point adrift of their close rivals, Huddersfield, with both clubs still competing for national honours.

Considering the proximity of the two teams, Sunday’s clash at Halliwell Jones Stadium promises to be the most thrilling of this weekend’s bouts, with almost certainly the highest pedigree of talent across the board.

Team News and Form Guide

Tony Smith’s Warrington squad just about edge their visiting opponents in terms of recent form, having won eight of their last nine Super League outings.

Last year’s division finalists will be on a high, too, after edging a very valuable 19-18 victory over Leeds Rhinos just last weekend, a game which promised to make or break their end of season run-in.

Perhaps, the most pertinent statistic for The Wire heading into this clash is that despite Huddersfield’s one-point advantage in the league standings, Warrington have managed to beat the Giants in both of their Super League meetings this season.

Having met in last season’s Challenge Cup semifinal, Smith will make just one change to his side this weekend, as Rhys Williams comes into the 19-man squad for the injured Ryan Atkins at centre.

According to BBC Sport, Huddersfield have slightly more to be pleased about in terms of squad selection. Coach Paul Anderson is able to bring prop Craig Kopczak in after a period on the sidelines with an arm injury, while Luke Robinson has been cleared after he was knocked out against Hull last weekend.

Having lost two of their last nine matches, the Claret and Gold are just slightly worse off than this weekend’s opponents in terms of form, but they can take subtle comfort in the fact that Hull, the side they beat 22-16 last weekend, are the only club to have overcome Warrington in the last two months.

Key Players

Warrington Wolves, Joel Monaghan

In such a monumental battle of the Super League hierarchy, nowhere other than the centre is the greatest action likely to unfold on Sunday. And, at 31 years of age, Warrington’s Joel Monaghan certainly knows how the story goes in these tense final stages of club competition.

The Australian is just as likely to play on the wing this weekend as he is in the middle of the park, but with Atkins out because of injury, it’s probable that Tony Smith throws one of his most experienced players in the centre.

With 19 Super League tries to his name in 18 appearances this season, Monaghan is averaging more than a try per game and will seek to uphold that ratio against the Giants.

Playing alongside his elder brother, Michael, Monaghan will look to impose his tall, powerful frame on the opposition with some clean breaks. That being said, the veteran’s ability, when it comes to opening the platform for others with his neat offload ability, is just as likely to come to the fore.

Huddersfield Giants, Joe Wardle

If Joel Monaghan is to be considered the key to unlocking Huddersfield’s defence, then the Giants’ Joe Wardle might be the immovable object to Warrington’s unstoppable force.

Just 21 years of age, Wardle has already made a major impact during his two years at John Smith’s Stadium, renowned for his versatility around the park.

Just two months ago, the utility was suspended from Challenge Cup action following a punch-up with Leeds Rhinos centre Carl Ablett, which led to his send off.

Since then, however, the youngster has come back to assert his dominance and already has 13 tries in 17 outings for his club this season.

Likely to line up at centre, Wardle will be as responsible for ensuring the likes of Jermaine McGillvary, Leroy Cudjoe and Aaron Murphy to see as much of the ball as possible, perhaps more so than himself.

Prediction: Having already beaten the Giants twice this year and with the momentum certainly going in their favour, Warrington would appear to have a formula for beating the Giants and are favourites to complete the hat-trick this weekend.

Warrington Wolves 28-22 Huddersfield Giants