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Noble on St Helens v Huddersfield

Brian Noble
By Brian Noble
Wigan Warriors coach and BBC analyst

St Helens are chasing their fourth Carnegie Challenge Cup in a row but they will face a difficult semi-final against Huddersfield on Sunday.

Wigan coach Brian Noble, who will be part of the BBC commentary team for the game at Warrington's Halliwell Jones Stadium, goes through some of the key areas for the tie.

THE INFLUENCE OF THE RESPECTIVE COACHES
St Helens coach Mick Potter
Potter has made a big impression since taking over at St Helens

Nathan Brown was one of the youngest-ever coaches in the NRL when he took over at St George Illawarra and is a very competent and relaxed individual.

He has picked up the baton from Jon Sharp and added a new desire and belief to Huddersfield.

Mick Potter, who I worked with at Bradford, has an impeccable track record and has kept the St Helens machine going since taking over from Daniel Anderson.

He has done a really good job in what is a transition period for Saints, who have very high expectations, and coped well with the injuries that have hit the team.

Both coaches know each other well and will have ideas on how to win the game so in the end it will be who manages to find the edge.

WHERE WILL THE GAME BE WON AND LOST?

I think it will be a question of the St Helens attack, which we all know about, versus the Huddersfield defence, which has been outstanding over the last couple of weeks.

Huddersfield will have to handle Saints when they are hot and concentration will be important because Saints can strike at any time, as we've seen so many times.

They will have to be strong defensively for the six plays when they don't have the ball, and have a plan of what they need to do, but if they play as well as they have been doing on their six-game unbeaten run, they will be difficult to beat.

However, Huddersfield will also have to be mindful that if they get into a close game with Saints, going ahead by one score might not be enough, as we found last week.

Even though we defended well, we didn't score enough points for us to be comfortable because Saints can all of a sudden score points to get them back into the game.

Saints are well structured, defend well when the chips are down and can be dangerous when they get going but they will have to be sharp to cope with Huddersfield's physicality and kicking game.

I think Huddersfield will have the belief that they can win.

WHO ARE THE KEY MEN?
Huddersfield's Brett Hodgson
Hodgson is a key figure at full-back for Huddersfield

The influence of Huddersfield half-backs Kevin Brown and Luke Robinson and how they kick will be important.

Brett Hodgson has impressed for Huddersfield at full-back and his performance will be key to how many points they will score.

Scott Moore will be important at hooker and Eorl Crabtree will need to lead from the front, which I'm sure he will.

But Saints have the experience and old heads like Leon Pryce and Keiron Cunningham have been there and are proven match-winners.

Kyle Eastmond has come through over the last few weeks and taken his chances well and he adds another dimension to their play.

I think this one promises to be a really exciting game and it wouldn't surprise me if it went to extra time but I think Saints will win, although it will be close.

Brian Noble was talking to BBC Sport's Elizabeth Hudson



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see also
St Helens 14-24 Huddersfield
09 Aug 09 |  Rugby League
Gateshead 6-66 St Helens
30 May 09 |  Rugby League
Huddersfield 16-14 Castleford
31 May 09 |  Rugby League
Rugby League on the BBC
15 Oct 10 |  Rugby League


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