Challenge Cup Preview #4 - Shine through the Gloom

Let's be honest, 2020 has been a pretty awful year, hasn't it? Earth's joys have grown dim, its glories passed away, with change and decay in all we see. But in one sense, rugby league has changed not. At one point, it seemed like for the first time since 1896, the Challenge Cup final would not be played. Through fortitude, we have got there.

Both on and on the field, we have been faced with unpredictable scenarios this year. You can add a Challenge Cup final between Leeds and Salford to that list. It was the final none of us saw coming. Not even when the semi-finals were drawn. The smart money was on a Wigan vs Warrington final. But two underdog victories on one rain-soaked Saturday afternoon changed all that.

There was a time that some said that the Challenge Cup was losing its magic and that the finals were the for the 'same old teams'. That has changed. In 2018, 2019 and now 2020, we see a fixture between two sides who have never faced off in a Challenge Cup final. How's that for some magic?

The route to Wembley has been shorter this year, just the two matches. That is not to say it has been an easy run. To get here, Salford had to defeat the last two winners of the competition. And they did so in dramatic style. A golden try against Catalans and a late opportunistic try against Warrington. They scarcely held a lead in either of these games, yet found themselves on the right side of the scoreline when the final hooter sounded.

To be behind and be dominated by your opponent for so long but still to emerge victorious demonstrates a mental resolve that you associate with a champion team. Salford have made the last two major showpiece finals in rugby league. When considering their resource and how they had to rebuild their squad for 2020, that is a remarkable achievement.

But this won't satisfy Salford. Not this Salford. Once you get the taste for these finals, getting there is not enough. It is about winning. Salford have an opportunity to win their first major trophy since the 1970's and their first Challenge Cup since the 1930's. The Salford boys stand on the brink of being the history boys. The chance to make history. The chance to become legends.

Speaking of legends, Leeds Rhinos know a lot about them. Their post-2004 'golden generation' ushered in an era of unprecedent success and several waves of trophies. But in sport, your heroes don't play forever. A 15 year or so career passes in the blink of an eye and before you know it, you have to rebuild.

It seemed an impossible job to replace those players. And so it proved. Leeds had three poor years in 2016, 2018 and 2019, interspersed with a 2017 swansong. They were largely rudderless and directionless. A team without a purpose. Now, Richard Agar has come in, rebuilt and moulded an industrious squad capable of competing at the top level.

On Saturday, they will play in their first final since the last of the 'golden generation' retired in 2017. The new generation of Leeds Rhinos have their own golden opportunity, to break free of the shackles and shadow of their predecessors. They may not have the superstars, but do have the opportunity to win a major trophy and do it their way.

Whatever happens on Saturday, it is time for one side to step forth from the shadows and into the spotlight. Come 5PM on Saturday, which side will shine through the gloom and point the famous trophy to the skies?