Warrington Wolves vs. Huddersfield Giants: Keys to Winning Challenge Cup Clash S

Sparks will fly this weekend when two of the strongest teams in the European rugby league clash for the third time this season, both in search of a spot in the Challenge Cup semi-finals.

Both Warrington Wolves and Huddersfield Giants have been in fantastic shape as far as the Super League season goes, third and second in the table, respectively.

However, form only goes so far in a knock-out tournament, something a great deal of the talent on show this Sunday will be fully aware of.

Although both Tony Smith and Paul Anderson will already have a good idea of their strategies heading into the fixture at Halliwell Jones Stadium, there are certain key areas the two clubs will look to focus on in their pursuit of 2013 silverware.

Ignore the Past, Focus on the Now

Considering both teams are still in the running to win Super League honours, it’s fair to say both The Wire and the Claret and Gold have shown good form of late.

In fact, Warrington only just edge Huddersfield’s record of seven wins in their last nine, having won eight themselves.

That being said, all past results need to be disregarded in a fixture such as this, where proceedings can unravel in a heartbeat should a player’s mind be focused elsewhere at all.

Whether in a supreme patch of results or the rustiest of ruts, this is a completely separate competition at the end of the day, one where any side can win providing they turn up to the plate for just 80 minutes.

Such a factor is of particular importance for Huddersfield, who have been beaten by Warrington both home and away this season, although Warrington could easily become cocky from such a feat.

Play to Strength

In a match such as this, it’s as important as ever that a side’s leaders can stand up and be accounted for under pressure.

For Warrington, that means Joel Monaghan making his usual darting runs from out wide or through the centre, Chris Riley providing the platform in the middle of the park his men will be relying on and Brett Hodgson making the kicks he needs to.

Ryan Atkins is a particularly big absence for Warrington, but he has made his support felt on Twitter of late.

In the Huddersfield camp, Danny Brough will be the man Paul Anderson can expect to turn to when times are getting tough, the scrum-half having kicked superbly for his campaign this far.

It’s vital that while it may be tempting to branch out, Huddersfield remember the type of play that’s gotten them to this stage of the competition, sacrificing risk for careful consideration when it matters.

A Win’s a Win

Although the pursuit of glory would see an endless chain of would-be champions aim to do so much more glamorously, an ugly win can still provide the means for progression.

So close to the final now, both the Giants and the Wolves will have their eyes firmly set on making their way to the end of the tournament.

However, it’s vital that as they look forward, they aren’t blinded by the false need to do so looking flashy.

For Smith and Anderson, a one-point victory over Sunday’s opponents will be as good as a 50-point hiding, irrespective of the fashion in which that victory comes about, as long as it gets them to the next rung of the Challenge Cup ladder.