CARNEGIE CHALLENGE CUP FINAL: HUDDERSFIELD V WARRINGTON
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. By George Riley
BBC Radio 5 live rugby league expert |
  Thorman says the build-up to the Challenge Cup final can be draining |
When Brett Hodgson leads the Huddersfield Giants out at Wembley for the 2009 Carnegie Challenge Cup final, one man who has already shouldered that massive responsibility will have his fingers crossed. Chris Thorman describes captaining the Giants in the 2006 showpiece at Twickenham as the proudest moment of his rugby league career. "It is fantastic, inspiring," he told me in a frank and honest chat this week, but one that unearthed more regrets than pride on what should have been the biggest moment of his professional life. I could tell the Hull FC half-back would give anything to be back in a Giants shirt this weekend, to right the wrongs of that crushing 42-12 defeat by St Helens three years ago. "When we got there in 2006 it was a very emotional week and I really hope the guys this year have learned from it," said Thorman. "We were simply not used to doing all that media work, every single day for four days. "Doing that makes you play out the game umpteen times in your head before you even take to the field. The Giants took an early lead in the 2006 Cup final before losing 42-12 to St Helens "As club captain, I shouldered most of that burden and I have to hold my hand up and admit I found it really draining. It loosened my focus and piled on the pressure. "It may surprise Giants fans, but when I went into the Twickenham tunnel for half-time I was already spent. I had nothing else to give. "Unfortunately, we then buckled under the pressure and Saints ran away with it. I just hope the boys don't suffer the same way I did. " Thorman's remarkable honesty about his own leadership shortcomings three years ago were delivered to me in the kind of passionate tone that made me forget he was actually no longer at Huddersfield, let alone their captain. I remember seeing him in the tunnel after I'd finished commentating on that game and he was the epitome of dejection. It seems Huddersfield's fabulous run to this year's final has conjured up those memories and emotions again.  | I would liken it to getting married... it is supposed to be one of the best days of your life, but it can easily turn out to be one of the worst |
"This is the biggest day of these players' lives, but it can also be the worst night's sleep of your life," added Thorman. "I would liken it to getting married. It is supposed to be one of the best days of your life, but it can easily turn out to be one of the worst. I can say that as I've been through both." One thing I sense from being around the Giants hotel the night before the game in 2006 and from the Twickenham walkabout earlier that day was that the level of excitement was somewhat countered by a sense of emptiness that the sport's great final was being played on "foreign soil". You feel the players now believe the Challenge Cup is back where it belongs. Thorman agrees. "I don't want to undermine the special nature of that occasion in 2006, but it just didn't feel right," he said. "We were at the headquarters of rugby union. It had a strange feel about it, as if we weren't supposed to be there. | 606: DEBATE |
"I got the same feeling at Murrayfield and the Millennium Stadium. It is part of the rugby league calendar to play at Wembley every year and more importantly it is part of our heritage. "That is my one regret from 2006 - the game was at the home of rugby union, not league. "When the boys walk out there they will have memories of years gone by and I think that will spur them on to their own history and own destiny." Thorman has close ties with Huddersield and has been in constant dialogue this week with some of the Giants 2006 cup final survivors - Andy Raleigh, Eorl Crabtree, Stephen Wild and Martin Aspinwall. "They have been looking forward to his final ever since the hooter sounded in the semi, " added Thorman. "The fact that it isn't St Helens or Leeds makes it that extra bit special, but it is also a sign of how close the competition has become at the top end.  Maurie Fa'asavlua hands off Stephen Wild in the 2006 Cup final |
"The boys are buzzing, Huddersfield still has a big place in my heart and it is great to see them playing with so much confidence and skill. "I know the lads and they will be prepared physically. This game will be won mentally." I asked Chris to talk me back through the moment when he led his side out into a packed arena for the final of rugby league's most prestigious cup competition. "It's not something I've thought about a lot but just you asking has made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, so it's obviously a moment that will live with me forever," he said. "You walk out and the crowd goes wild. The two towns will be at Wembley en masse and it will be a phenomenal experience. "This game will be won upfront. Two massive, muscular packs, and it could come down to Eorl Crabtree against Adrian Morley. I just hope Huddersfield go one better this time and win it." Chris will join George Riley live in the final hour of weekend Breakfast on Saturday morning on 5 live. Join George, Stuart Pyke and John Kear for full commentary from Wembley from 1405 on 5 live Sports Extra. Follow me at: www.twitter.com/georgeyboy
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