2021 Challenge Cup Final Preview

We are here again! Another Challenge Cup final at another point in the calendar. After an unusual October final last year, we have moved back to a summer showpiece, albeit a bit earlier than the August Bank Holiday that we have become accustomed to.

The sun is due to shine and the mercury is due to rise as the week progresses to the big day. Castleford and St Helens are the two sides who will contest the trophy in 2021. Castleford aim to win this trophy for the first time since 1986, St Helens for the first time since 2008. Who will sparkle in the sun? Who will wilt in the heat?

The bookmakers have made St Helens heavy favourites. Whilst you never see a poor bookie, I am not as persuaded as many that this match will be the comfortable St Helens victory that many commentators predict.

Fast Starters

Castleford's key to victory in the semi final was a quick start against Warrington. The Tigers blitzed Warrington and held a four score lead at half time as Castleford's ruck speed and offload game tore their opponents apart.

Departing coach Daryl Powell will look to the same playbook on Saturday. And with good reason. The conditions will be amenable to fast rugby and Wembley's wide playing surface can lead to gaps in defensive lines and expose tired or retreating defenders.

Castleford are likely to find it harder to break through St Helens' defence compared to Warrington's. St Helens have conceded 96 points in 11 Super League matches. That is a quite ridiculous 9 points per match. The next best defensive record in Super League is Hull FC, who have conceded 175.

Speaking of Hull FC, they adopted a similar approach to Castleford in their ultimately unsuccessful semi-final against St Helens. They went big, hard and early. The result? St Helens soaked up the pressure and led 14-2 after 25 minutes, although this included a very fortunate Theo Fages try.

If Castleford do boss the opening stages (as I expect they will), their prospects of bringing home the Challenge Cup trophy for the first time since 1986 will turn on whether they can turn pressure into points.

The Sponges

Yes, you read that sub-heading right. And it is supposed to be a compliment to St Helens. Their defence is arguably the best I have ever seen from a British side. Interestingly, I do not particularly think that their goal line defence is that much better than other top teams, but they have a knack of limiting the time their opponents spend on their goal line in the first place. They can soak up attacking threat like a sponge and make life very difficult for their opponents.

Yet when you strengthen one area, it is almost inevitable that another aspect of your game suffers. For St Helens, that is their attack. Gone are the days of free-flowing enterprising attacks, replaced by a more patient, conservative and cumbersome attacking game that some St Helens fans have dubbed ‘Woolfball’.

With these attacking limitations comes hope for Castleford. Let's take Warrington as an example. St Helens have lost each of their last four matches against Warrington, a side that has developed a blueprint for neutering St Helens' attack. If you do that (and it is doable), you've got a great chance.

Where will the game be won?

I am not convinced that Castleford will adopt a Warrington-like tactic which is focused on stifling and disrupting St Helens (and that’s not a criticism of Warrington, it is an example of excellent tactics).

In fact, I am not sure Castleford have the players suited to do that. So how do Castleford win this game? The answer is probably to focus on their own game and play without fear. St Helens, whilst still a fine team, are not the same team that dominated the Super League in 2018 and 2019 and topped the league table by huge margins. Although what cannot be ignored is that the 'Woolfball' incarnation of St Helens is a side that may have sacrificed some style, but seems better equipped for the big games.

It is unusual for teams to play expansively in a final but on this occasion that may bring Castleford’s best chance of success. With St Helens conceding 18 points on average in their cup games this year (double their Super League average), paradoxically, a bold approach may be the less risky option.

But why are St Helens worse defensively in the cup? Well, they seem to play differently in the cup. They tend to throw more attacking shapes and score more points, but their defence is more slack. This is unusual as you would usually believe a team to be more conservative in a knockout game. 

This may be a result of the pressure on St Helens, having not claimed this trophy since 2008. There is desperation from the upper echelons of the club to ensure that this changes on Saturday (you may have heard Sean Long reference this on Sky Sports the other week).

I am convinced that this game won’t be your typical Cup final where ‘game management’ and safety first are king. Castleford's need to attack bravely combined with St Helens' evidently different cup performances mean that we can expect a more open and expansive game. 

As I said, St Helens are the favourites and I do think that they will win the game. But do not expect this to be a walkover that many talk of.

On a personal note, this is going to be the first rugby league match that I have attended since March 2020 and the same will be true for many of the up to 45,000 attendees of Castleford, St Helens, Featherstone, York and neutral fans.

It is one of, if not the most special date, in the British rugby league calendar. Whether you are there in person, or following at home, enjoy the game!