CARNEGIE CHALLENGE CUP FINAL
Venue: Wembley Date: Saturday, 29 August Kick-off: 1430 BST Coverage: Live on BBC One and online; full commentary on BBC Radio Leeds 774 AM & online and BBC Radio 5 live sports extra.
Have you ever wanted to know which Huddersfield Giant has a penchant for taking his clothes off or who is the squad's very own Grumpy Old Man? Then you need wait no longer. Ahead of Saturday's Carnegie Challenge Cup final against Warrington, BBC Radio Leeds' James Deighton - a regular presence in the commentary box at Super League games up and down the country - gives the lowdown on the Giants squad.
BRETT HODGSON Date of Birth: 12/02/78
Height: 1.75m
Weight: 76kg
Squad number: 1 Look up the word "professional" in the dictionary and you'll see a picture of this man. Quite literally the first name on Nathan Brown's team-sheet and a big shout to win the 2009 Super League Man of Steel award. A truly inspirational captain in his debut season and a player whose ability belies his relatively diminutive physical stature. MARTIN ASPINWALL Date of Birth: 21/10/81
Height: 1.8m
Weight: 92.5kg
Squad number: 2 The replacement for Danny Kirmond and chosen by Nathan Brown for a place on the bench ahead of the likes of Andy Raleigh and Simon Finnigan. Brown has played a key role in Aspy's conversion from winger to back-rower this season and his versatility earned him his Wembley place. Scored a try in the Giants' loss to St Helens in the 2006 final at Twickenham. KEVIN BROWN Date of Birth: 02/10/84
Height: 1.84m
Weight: 89kg
Squad number: 3 Recently signed a new three-year contract. Winner of the Giants' inaugural "Most embarrassing moment of the season" award in 2007 following an unfortunate incident involving a team-mate's wife breastfeeding. On the pitch he's made the stand-off position his own after Todd Carney's abortive move from down under. He was cup-tied for the Giants' Challenge Cup final appearance in 2006 but played in Wigan's losing side in 2005. A former house-mate of Jamahl Lolesi. PAUL WHATUIRA Date of Birth: 31/07/81
Height: 1.83m
Weight: 92kg
Squad number: 4 'Fatz' had a great first season in 2008, becoming the Giants' top try scorer with 13. A former New Zealand international and a two-time NRL Grand Final winner with Penrith and Wests Tigers. While playing for Wests he posed naked on a boat for a charity calendar with just a towel preserving his modesty. Another former house-mate of Jamahl Lolesi... DAVID HODGSON Date of Birth: 08/08/81
Height: 1.84m
Weight: 93kg
Squad number: 5 A member of the "Lancashire car" which makes the cross-county journeys to and from the Galpharm Stadium along with Martin Aspinwall, Simon Finnigan and Stephen Wild. Hodgson has scored two hat-tricks in Super League during 2009, erasing the bad memories of last year when a knee ligament injury ruled him out for most of the season. LIAM FULTON Date of Birth: 08/08/84
Height: 1.88m
Weight: 95kg
Squad number: 6 A man with a penchant for taking his clothes off. He appeared in the same naked calendar as Paul Whatuira but then also did a magazine photoshoot with his girlfriend with both as nature intended. With these habits it's surprising that Liam is so attached to a pair of denim shorts which the players rib him about mercilessly. Proposed to the aforementioned girlfriend at the Eiffel Tower last month - I just hoped they kept their clothes on! On the field he has settled in really well since his move from Wests Tigers and recovering from knee surgery. LUKE ROBINSON Date of Birth: 25/07/84
Height: 1.70m
Weight: 81kg
Squad number: 7 Almost as famous as the all-female "Team Robbo" fan club who've caught the eye at recent games. The group, which includes his fiancee and sister, wear yellow shirts with slogans on such as 'Use the force Luke!' Had played in every game this season up until the recent Super League defeat at St Helens. Went to Wembley as a youngster to cheer on Wigan. EORL CRABTREE Date of Birth: 02/10/82
Height: 1.97m
Weight: 122kg
Squad number: 8 Unless the big man scores a try between now and the end of the season you may get to see him in all his glory with a naked run currently on the cards. However, despite his inability to get over the line what an incredible season he's had. His form has seen him earn his first 'full' England cap against France in June and he's also been mentioned a possible contender for 'Man of Steel'. He signed a new five-year deal in July and was awarded a testimonial. Prior to playing at the Galpharm Stadium he was a safety steward at the ground but spent most of his time watching the game instead of the crowd! DAVID FAIUMU Date of Birth: 30/04/83
Height: 1.80m
Weight: 93kg
Squad number: 9 A skilful hooker with a devastating side-step. Represented New Zealand but was selected in the Samoa squad for the 2008 World Cup. He arrived towards the end of the 2008 season in time to play the final three games. His family have come over to join him this year which has helped him settle in. A quiet man who does his talking on the pitch! DARRELL GRIFFIN Date of Birth: 19/06/81
Height: 1.93m
Weight: 113kg
Squad number: 10 Could be excused for being more nervous than most ahead of the big day. His wife Charlotte is expecting their second child on the same weekend. As a result she'll be sitting with family at Wembley instead of with the players' wives. Griff is another player bang on form and recently signed a new three-year contract. Used to drive a quad-bike to and from training while playing with the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats. JAMAHL LOLESI Date of Birth: 20/03/81
Height: 1.83m
Weight: 92kg
Squad number: 11 The joker of the pack, but at the same time a real 'pro' who takes his rugby as seriously as anyone. Just ask opposition players who've been nailed by 'Jammer the Hammer'. His former 'tenants' say he's a real "clean freak" who loves nothing more than getting stuck into a big pile of dirty dishes. He's been known to serenade his house-mates having learnt to play the guitar since joining the Giants. Off the field he goes the extra mile to help out with community projects. STEPHEN WILD Date of Birth: 26/04/81
Height: 1.88m
Weight: 98kg
Squad number: 12 The Giants' very own Victor Meldrew though his personality has tempered slightly since his wife gave birth recently. Narrowly avoided a naked run last season when he scored two tries in the final game at Warrington. That feat was even more remarkable when you consider that the players had decided that anyone who passed to him for a try would also have to strip off. He turned in a man-of-the-match performance in the quarter-final win over Castleford and will be hoping to recover in time from a knee injury picked up against the Bradford Bulls. PAUL JACKSON Date of Birth: 29/09/78
Height: 1.80m
Weight: 108kg
Squad number: 15 Was happier than most at Brett Hodgson's arrival, before then Paul was the oldest player in the Giants squad. A real unsung hero who was immense in their semi-final victory over St Helens. A big fans' favourite because of his effort and commitment on the field. Played for Scotland in the World Cup. KEITH MASON Date of Birth: 20/01/82
Height: 1.85m
Weight: 106kg
Squad number: 16 One of the Giants' most consistent performers this season. Will be extra careful in training this week as he picked up an injury preparing for the 2006 Challenge Cup final against St Helens and had to miss out. A former Challenge Cup winner with St Helens in 2004. He's another player who has pledged his future to the club this season, signing a new deal to keep him at the Galpharm until the end of 2011. SCOTT MOORE Date of Birth: 23/01/88
Height: 1.79m
Weight: 94kg
Squad number: 20 On a season-long loan from St Helens but it was his form with the Giants that saw him earn his England debut against France in June when he turned in a dazzling performance. Was famously the youngest-ever Super League player at 16 years and 213 days when he appeared at scrum-half in Saints' 27-18 defeat at Wigan. Scott needs to change the record though, his team-mates are fed up of him singing Kings of Leon songs! LEROY CUDJOE Date of Birth: 07/04/88
Height: 1.89m
Weight: 93kg
Squad number: 21 Despite favouring the full-back position he's established himself as one of Super League's top wingers. Has bulked up this season without losing any of his pace. Has already touched a trophy with the Giants as part of the victorious Carnegie Nines squad last season, winning the 'Player of the Tournament' award in the process. SHAUN LUNT Date of Birth: 15/04/87
Height: 1.82m
Weight: 91kg
Squad number: 24 A real rags to riches story - last season he was playing in National League Two for Workington Town, now he's on the brink of walking out at Wembley. His home town of Cockermouth in Cumbria will come to a stand-still on Saturday to cheer on their local hero. However, Shaun has bought up half of the Wembley tickets to allow about 50 friends and family to be there in person. Giants conditioner Mark 'Bumper' Andrews has described Shaun as "pound for pound the fittest member of the squad". COACH: NATHAN BROWN Has worked wonders in his debut season in charge of the Giants though he's been quick to play down his contribution. The players have certainly responded to his 'lighter touch' approach to coaching. A laid-back character whose personality has been reflected in his dress sense. His match-day attire normally consists of jeans rather than tracksuit bottoms. It's going to be interesting to see which outfit he models at Wembley.
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