The Challenge Cup: A Journey of Joy and Heartbreak for Rugby League Teams
The Challenge Cup is a revered trophy in British sports, and the victors are forever etched into rugby league lore. But what becomes of the teams that fall short in the final? BBC Sport examines the fortunes of the Challenge Cup final losers over the past seven years, revealing how they navigated the aftermath of their Wembley defeats.
In 2023, Hull KR’s rapid rise under Willie Peters saw them reach the Challenge Cup final, only to lose in golden point extra time to Leigh Leopards. However, the Robins bounced back, making the Super League play-off semi-finals before bowing out against eventual champions Wigan. This year, they currently sit third in the league, having exited the Challenge Cup at the semi-final stage to the victorious Warriors.
Huddersfield Giants’ 2022 campaign was a positive one, as they reached the Challenge Cup final and finished third in Super League, but they couldn’t sustain that momentum. Plagued by inconsistencies in 2023, the Giants ended up in a lowly ninth-place finish and were eliminated from the cup in the sixth round.
Castleford Tigers gave a valiant effort in the 2021 Challenge Cup final, only to see St Helens emerge victorious at Wembley. The Tigers narrowly missed out on a top-six finish that year, and their 2022 campaign under new coach Lee Radford saw them again fall short of the play-offs and exit the cup in the quarter-finals.
Salford Red Devils’ heartbreak in the 2020 Challenge Cup final, where a late Leeds Rhinos drop-goal sealed their defeat, was followed by a ninth-place finish in Super League that year. The following season saw the Red Devils struggle further, winning just seven league games and being knocked out of the cup by another drop-goal, this time from Castleford’s Gareth O’Brien.
“St Helens’ 2019 Challenge Cup final defeat to Warrington Wolves marked the beginning of their domestic dominance, as they went on to win the Grand Final that year and repeat the feat in 2020.”
Warrington’s own 2018 Challenge Cup and Grand Final losses eventually led to their 2019 Challenge Cup triumph, but they fell at the first hurdle in the Super League play-offs that year.
The journey of the Challenge Cup final losers showcases the resilience and determination required to bounce back from the heartbreak of defeat on rugby league’s biggest stage. As teams strive to etch their names into the sport’s illustrious history, they must navigate the emotional and competitive challenges that come with falling just short of glory.
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