Brian Noble makes desperate Challenge Cup Final plea

Yesterday we saw a historic Challenge Cup Final between Leigh Leopards and Hull KR the first without any of Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves and St Helens since 1986.

It was historic for other reasons as well beyond the men’s final. It was also the first time that the women’s final had taken place at Wembley and this was only two of the three games that featured in a fantastic triple header of action in the nation’s capital.

However, there is a lot of talk about the Challenge Cup format changing and potentially shifting to something like the Champions League in football.

Former Challenge Cup winning coach with the Bradford Bulls Brian Noble is very much against this.

He said on BBC:

“I think the these teams winning their semi-finals has given rugby league a real shot in the arm.

“We have a lot of change coming up in the game but I think it’s important we don’t start modifying the Challenge Cup.

“The Challenge Cup is a standalone competition and it needs to stay that way, because these two teams getting to the final, Leigh coming from the 1895 Cup final last year, it has been outstanding.

“Rugby league needed this, it needed two different teams in the final and that is what we have got.

“I think this final will be better than the two semi-finals, I think we are in for something special.”

One thing that will stay the same is the venue of Wembley Stadium as confirmed yesterday but the final will be brought forward to June 8th.

On this, Rhodri Jones, the Managing Director of Rugby League Commercial, said:

“We are pleased to be able to confirm that Betfred Challenge Cup Finals Day will be played at Wembley Stadium in each of the next two years and will be returning to an earlier position in the season in June.

“This fits with the Reimagining of Rugby League through the sport’s long-term partnership with IMG, as we work towards a restructured calendar, and also maintain the double header of Men’s and Women’s Challenge Cup Finals given the growth potential of the Women’s and Girls’ game.

“This will be an historic weekend for the sport’s longest-established showpiece, as for the first time the athletes of Women’s Rugby League take their rightful place on the Wembley stage alongside the men – with both Finals given a national platform on BBC Sport.

“With a fresh feel to the Men’s Final between two teams who have waited a long time since their single Wembley Challenge Cup wins in 1971 and 1980, and two new finalists in the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup, there is a real mood of positivity going into the weekend, as Rugby League plays its part in the centenary celebrations for Wembley Stadium.”

Paul Smyth, Head of Operations at Wembley Stadium, added:

“We are delighted to host Rugby League’s Challenge Cup Finals Day here at Wembley Stadium for another two years.

“Challenge Cup Final day is always one of the great days in the calendar and we are proud to have hosted it here at Wembley since 1929. We look forward to putting on more world-class finals over the next few years.”