2008 Challenge Cup and League Leader's Shield Winners,
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Anderson Says Saints Will Be Ready
Daniel Anderson has given an indication of his 19-man squad for Saturday’s Challenge Cup Final at Wembley.
As expected, Jason Cayless is likely to miss out with knee ligament trouble sustained in the 40-22 win at Huddersfield on Sunday.
Big prop Maurie Fa’asavalu hasn’t trained with the first team since the semi final and therefore is also a doubt for the game.
That means the 19 is likely to be Paul Wellens, Ade Gardner, Matt Gidley, Willie Talau, Francis Meli, Leon Pryce, Sean Long, Nick Fozzard, Keiron Cunningham, Lee Gilmour, Jon Wilkin, Paul Sculthorpe, James Roby, Chris Flannery, James Graham, Bryn Hargreaves, Paul Clough, Maurie Fa’asavalu and Kyle Eastmond.
“I probably know 15 or 16 of the side that will face Hull,” Daniel said, “and will finalise the 17 after training on Friday.
“We are used to being favourites and won’t be changing our preparation or mentality. We will be going into the game confident, not cocky.”
Keiron Cunningham is also looking forward to the match. He said: “The nerves were jangling during the Huddersfield game but now I can enjoy the build up for the final.
“In 1996 I was kinda nervous, but now I can try to calm the nerves of the younger lads.
“With Hull being second from bottom and having no top six aspirations they have placed all their eggs in one basket so to speak and that will come out on Saturday. We’re expecting the toughest of matches.”
Paul Sculthorpe is also set to play in the match. He said: “I had to watch last year so I can’t wait to be a part of it this time around. It will be special and no doubt be a great atmosphere too.
“Hull are a very physical side and we will need to match that.”
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"We will be going into the game confident." - Daniel Anderson |
Saints will equal the club record of 21 successive Cup and League wins if they defeat Hull in the game.
The record was set from the start of the 1964-65 season when they went from 22 August until 9 January winning every match.
The run consisted of 17 League matches in the old one division system and four Lancashire Cup-ties. The run ended with a 6-4 League defeat at Warrington.
This year, the Saints’ 20 successive victories consist of 16 engage Super League matches and four Carnegie Challenge Cup-ties. It is the best run of victories by any Super League club in the summer era.
Francis Meli and Bryn Hargreaves are the only players to have played in all 20 matches.
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