Castleford take on Wigan in the Tetley’s Challenge Cup quarter-finals
Most of the Cas players were not born when their club pulled off a 10-2 win at Central Park in the 1986 quarter-final on their way to lifting the trophy at Wembley.
Wigan have remained unbeaten at home in rugby league’s famous knockout competition ever since that day , with all 16 defeats coming either away from home or on neutral territory, in the final or semi-final.
Shaun Wane’s men are favourites to keep their proud record intact but the modern-day Cas are doing their best under Daryl Powell to replicate the feats of their 1986 predecessors after making a flying start to the Super League.
They have won eight of their 10 matches so far, including a thrilling 36-31 home win over the Warriors, and were also triumphant on their last visit to the DW Stadium last August.
“We’ll go there with a bit of confidence,” Powell said. “We’ve beaten Wigan the last two times we’ve played them, so there’s no reason to fear it too much.”
Wigan are the 15-8 second favourites to extend their record haul of Challenge Cup final victories to 20 on August 23 but the odds on Super League leaders Leeds lifting the trophy for the first time this century shortened after they were handed a rare tie against non-Super League opposition.
Just two of the Rhinos’ previous 23 ties were against part-time opponents, including Leigh who will be hoping to improve on their 60-12 quarter-final defeat at Leigh Sports Village two years ago.
Having disposed of Wakefield and St Helens to reach the last eight, Leeds are closing in on a first final triumph since 1999 but they will not take the Centurions lightly.
Paul Rowley’s men are the only team in the English game with a 100 per cent record, having won their opening eight Championship matches and knocked out Featherstone in Sunday’s fifth-round tie.
Leeds coach Brian McDermott said: “We have too much respect for Leigh – and the competition – to take them lightly.”
The only other all-Super League quarter-final pits Bradford with 2012 winners Warrington, who meet in a dress rehearsal at Odsal on Sunday, while 500-1 outsiders Keighley go to Widnes.
The ties will be played on the weekend of June 7-8.
Article source: http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/tv3-secures-rights-to-2015-rugby-world-cup-30187579.html
Powell: Tigers to play without fear
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