Huddersfield v Leeds: Challenge Cup preview
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 07/05/16 8:02pm
Zak Hardaker says poor Super League form won't distract Leeds as they begin their Ladbrokes Challenge Cup defence against Huddersfield on Friday night.
Last year's treble winners are bottom of Super League with little chance of retaining either the title or the League Leader's Shield, but victory over 11th-placed Huddersfield would keep afloat their hopes a third successive Wembley triumph.
It has not been the start to the season season that Brian McDermott's men would have hoped for, but full-back Hardaker believes his side's Super League form won't hinder their Challenge Cup ambitions.
"Just because we're the two bottom teams at the moment, it doesn't mean we can't go all the way in the Challenge Cup," Hardaker said.
The odds favour Huddersfield, who were the last team to beat the Rhinos in the cup and were 28-20 victors when the teams met in the league at the John Smith's Stadium last Friday. Hardaker returns to the team after missing Friday's match game through concussion and he says his side will be motivated by their recent cup success.
"If you get to Wembley, the week building up to it is absolutely fantastic," he said. "It's all smiles, you get a new kit, the atmosphere is quite different to the Grand Final, it feels that much special.
"I've been there a few times and I'd really relish another chance to get there.
"We can salvage something from this year. I'm not sure what it is yet, but the Challenge Cup is always up for grabs."
Leeds have won nine consecutive cup ties since going down 24-8 to the Giants in the fifth round in 2013 and on Friday will be facing Super League opposition for the ninth time in that period.
"We never ever get an easy draw," Hardaker added. "The only non-Super League club we got was Leigh and they were the best club in the Championship and ran us really close.
"So it's never been easy for us. But, on the other side, if you play the bigger teams first and knock them out, they're not waiting for you later on.
"It would be brilliant if we can beat Huddersfield. You never know, we might get an easier team in the next round. That's the beauty of the Challenge Cup, anything can happen."
Huddersfield, who lost to Leeds in the sixth round of last year's competition at Headingley, have not won the cup for 63 years, a point not lost on coach Paul Anderson.
Stand-off Danny Brough is the only Giants player to have experienced cup success after helping Hull to a shock win over Leeds in 2005 while Anderson won it as a player with St Helens 12 months later.
"The Cup is very special," Anderson said. "There are a few lads in there that have had the Challenge Cup final experience but there is nothing better than winning it."
