Wakefield Trinity Wildcats: Finn wants Wembley return with Cats

The Trinity half-back was part of the Castleford Tigers team which reached the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup final in 2014 and is keen to return to the iconic stadium.

Standing in Wakefield’s way tomorrow is a quarter-final with Huddersfield Giants.

“It was a great experience to get to a final with Castleford and one that I look back on fondly,” said Finn.

“I think reaching a Challenge Cup final is massive for any Rugby League player, especially for those that have grown up with the British game.

“The history of the Challenge Cup and seeing the big teams dominating growing up.

“That was the pinnacle for us when we were younger and to experience it again would be massive.

“The fans have been great all year and we just hope they’re enjoying the season so far.

“They get right behind us and give us that lift and hopefully we’ll get the win and they can all have a good day out at the semi-finals and then you never know what can happen then,” said the half-back.

Trinity are aiming for a hat-trick of wins over Huddersfield, after two wins over the Giants this season.

But they will be without key duo Danny Kirmond and Nick Scruton.

The captain and vice-captain were left out of Chris Chester’s 19-man squad yesterday.

Kirmond (knee) and Scruton (groin) missed the 32-6 defeat to Leeds Rhinos last Friday, and neither are fit enough to face the Giants tomorrow at John Smith’s Stadium, as Wakefield target their first trip to Wembley since 1979.

Chester has made just one change to the squad which lost to Leeds, with Chris Annakin coming in to replace Mika Simon, out with concussion.

Wildcats hooker Scott Moore is also free to play after he was found not guilty of a grade B dangerous tackle during his side’s home defeat by Leeds.

Moore, who was just back from a six-match ban, denied the offence when he appeared in front of a disciplinary tribunal last night.

Wakefield face a Giants side led by their former coach Andy Kelly. The 55-year-old – the club’s head of youth development – is in temporary charge after the sacking of Paul Anderson and his No 2 Kieron Purtill. Kelly has no interest in taking on the job permanently.

Finn believes the Cup tie offers Wakefield the perfect chance to bounce back from Friday’s loss to Leeds.

He said: “We know we can win this game but at the same time I’m sure Huddersfield are too. Obviously the coach has just gone and they’ll be refreshed ready for the Cup game,” said Finn.

“There’s no real pressure on us for Super League survival for next year so we can focus on the game and hopefully it’ll be a really entertaining game.

“We had a decent performance against Huddersfield two weeks ago and then let ourselves down against Leeds, so we’re looking to bounce back. It’s been a bit of a recurring theme over the last month or so, so we’re aiming to get a win and get ourselves in to a little bit of form.”

The Giants have made two changes to their 19-man squad. In come former Trinity winger Aaron Murphy and Ryan Hinchcliffe for Kruise Leeming and Tyler Dickinson.

Wigan front rower Ben Flower will miss Saturday’s quarter-final with Castleford Tigers through suspension.

Flower was given a one-match ban after pleading guilty to making a dangerous throw on Widnes hooker Aaron Heremaia.