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St Helens
Challenge us: St Helens win last year

Saints are thinking of fun, not the record books

Neil Barraclough, Evening Standard
29 Aug 2008


Prop forward James Graham insists his St Helens team-mates will not be thinking of the record books during tomorrow's Challenge Cup Final against Hull.

Victory at Wembley would see Saints write themselves into rugby league folklore as only the second team, after Wigan, to win three Challenge Cups in a row.

They beat Huddersfield in 2006 and then toppled Catalans Dragons last season.

Graham said: "We won't think too much about that. It would be a fitting tribute to the squad, and to coach Daniel Anderson as well, but it's not something we're thinking about.

"We just have a lot of fun and as a group we're all mates together.

"We all fit well playing off Keiron [Cunningham], Robes [James Roby], Longy [Sean Long] and Leon [Pryce] and we've all just got to be ready when they do something different." St Helens have caused controversy by shunning today's traditional Wembley walkabout. Seen by some as a sign of over-confidence, others have backed the decision as Saints attempt to add another piece of silverware to their bulging trophy cabinet.

Hooker Cunningham, who could claim a seventh winners' medal from his eighth Challenge Cup Final, refutes suggestions that the favourites are treating Hull lightly.

"The fear of failure pushes you on," he said. "The bookies have us down as favourites but Hull have won big games to get to the final and they're a very good side.

"The whole focus of their season is on this game. They'll play some very good rugby but we're not going to go in lying down and let Hull dominate.

"Our attitude and preparation will be the best it can."

Hull have included Richard Horne in their squad, even though the Great Britain half-back has not played since early April because of a neck injury.

Horne had given up hope of playing again this season but a specialist cleared him to resume training and he took part in Hull's last full session at the KC Stadium before they left for London.

Coach Richard Agar admitted it would be "a calculated risk" to throw Horne back in at the deep end but added: "He has a chance."

Live on BBC1, 2.30pm

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