ST HELENS coach Daniel Anderson has warned Bradford that the holders are ready to peak for today’s Carnegie Challenge Cup semi-final.
The champions appeared to suffer a hiccup when they lost successive Super League games to Leeds and Bradford earlier this month but they looked in ominously good form in last week’s win over Wigan.
And Anderson is completely dismissing his side’s 10-4 defeat by the Bulls in a match played in pouring rain which nullified their traditional flamboyant style of play.
“They beat us, it’s no big issue,” he said
“Hopefully there will be different conditions, that’s all I’m hoping for. I’m sure they are hoping for that too.
“We’ve had a tough month of games and we’re definitely ready to play this. We’ve had three very tough games in a row.
“We’re better prepared and we’re relatively healthy too, which is a blessing. We’ve come through the run with only one win but with a lot of healthy, hardened players.”
Saints have suffered a blow with the loss of experienced prop Jason Cayless, who has flown home to Australia following the death of his mother, but they have 12 other members of the side that beat Huddersfield in last year’s final.
Paul Deacon and Joe Vagana are the only survivors from Bradford’s last Cup-winning team of 2003 whereas only Mike Bennett, Paul Clough, Bryn Hargreaves and Matt Gidley have yet to experience a Challenge Cup final.
History, as well as experience, is on the side of the holders, who have won their last five Challenge Cup meetings with Bradford, including the finals of 1996, 1997 and 2001.
Bulls coach Steve McNamara, who played in the 1997 Wembley final, is dismissive of his club’s poor record against Saints and insists his players are equally hungry for success.
“We had a laugh and a joke when the draw was made about being beaten in so many finals but never having faced them in the semi-finals,” he said.
“But they are completely different sides and there is no relevance to previous matches.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve been to a Challenge Cup semi-final. 2003 was the last time we got anywhere near and only Deacs and Joe are left from that team.
“You don’t get many opportunities in a lifetime of rugby league to get to finals so, when one arises, you’ve got to make the most of it.
“We’ve got players who may not get another chance and we’re really looking forward to it.”
While Saints go into today’s game on a high following their epic win over Wigan, Bradford must pick themselves up from their worst performance of the season, a shock 14-10 defeat at bottom club Salford.
But even Anderson reckons that result is irrelevant, with the semi-final weighing heavily on the minds of both sets of players.
“Salford played very well but Bradford were probably in a different state of mind for this game,” said Anderson.
“I hope they will have their eyes off the ball again but I don’t think so.
“It happens. I was thinking about this game for a month and I’m sure the players have been very aware of it, you can’t help it. It’s naive to think people don’t think about it.”
Bradford may recall 20-year-old second rower Matt Cook, who has not played since the fifth-round win at Wakefield because of a wrist injury, while Saints are likely to promote James Graham from the bench to offset the loss of Cayless.
The holders are also boosted by the return of Great Britain back row pair Jon Wilkin and Lee Gilmour from suspension and injury respectively.
“Jon Wilkin is a quality player,” said Anderson. “I thought in the international against France he was one of the high performers.
“He gives you a lot of energy and there are varying aspects to his play. He can kick and pass and he is a genuine tryscorer so he adds a fair amount of variety to our play.”
