Given that they were both around at the very beginning of rugby league’s story in 1895, it is incredible that Warrington and Hull have never met in a major final of any kind – but irrespective of who lifts the Challenge Cup come 5pm on Saturday afternoon, there is further history waiting to be made on both sides.
Take Ashton Sims and Mark Minichiello, for example. They both arrived from the NRL at the start of last year as marquee signings for Warrington and Hull respectively, but in careers spanning more than 600 games between them at the highest level, there remains one thing missing from the CVs of both men.
It is almost beyond belief that Sims and Minichiello, two of their generation’s most respected forwards, have never played in a major final despite nearly 30 years at the top combined. That will all change when they walk out at Wembley.
As is often the case, the framework for this year’s final is intertwined with fascinating subplots, but the years of near misses for both the Warrington forward Sims and his Hull counterpart Minichiello are unavoidable.
“I’m going to be honest, I never lost faith that I’d make a final but every year when I was having to watch them on TV rather than getting to play in one – let alone win one – you do start to wonder as the years tick by,” says Sims, who had lost six consecutive semi-finals before this year’s win against Wakefield.
“Things were getting harder and harder as I got older but what we’re doing at Warrington this year is exceptional. I’m so proud my first final is with this group and I can’t wait.”
At 34, Minichiello is equally glad his chance has finally arrived. “It’s my first final after 15 years at the top level so it’s been a long time coming,” he says. “You play rugby league to play in big finals; some players get the chance to play in plenty but to have my first final at Wembley will be the highlight of my career.
“I never thought it had passed me by; I said when I came to Hull I did so wanting to win trophies. I wanted to help bring this club into a new era and help them realise their potential. There’s been a lot of hard work to get the team to where it is now and I’m very proud and grateful to be part of such a great club.”
Minichiello could have been forgiven for thinking he was the unlucky one in his family as his older brother Anthony racked up World Club Challenge and NRL titles aplenty during his career, but he can at least take comfort from the fact he will get to tick off one thing his brother never quite managed.
“He’s played in a lot of finals and won a lot of trophies but he’s never had the opportunity to play in the Challenge Cup so hopefully I can hold that trophy up for the Minichiello family,” he says.
There are others in their respective teams who are hoping to lift the trophy for the first time having experienced the heartache of defeat, moreover.
At the age of 35, the Hull captain, Gareth Ellis, is in the form of his career and is widely tipped for this year’s Man of Steel award 12 months on from a ruptured achilles tendon which almost ended his career. Twice a loser in the final before, including with Hull three years ago against Wigan, the forward admits he has a personal score to settle with the competition.
“I wouldn’t have thought last year that I’d be here now,” he admits. “Last year I was limping around with a pot on [my foot], and now I’m leading Hull out at a cup final. Wembley is no place for losers; I’ve learned from letting the occasion get the better of me and I am determined not to let that happen this time and go out and play the best I can.”
On the opposing side, there is a man looking to exorcise his own Wembley demons having suffered disappointment of a completely different kind. Jack Hughes was the 18th man during Wigan’s 16-0 win three years ago but is now a guaranteed starter for Warrington. The forward says he is ready to take his chance in the sport’s most high-profile fixture at long last.
“Obviously, I still got the whole experience – the hotel, training at Wembley on the Friday – but the walking out with the boys, actually playing and that side of things, I missed out on,” he says. “I think Chris Tuson was on the bench instead – but that was nice for him as he had to retire early from playing not long after. I’ve got my chance now, though, and I’m proud of that. I can’t wait.”
And whether it is Sims or Minichiello who wins their debut final, and Ellis or Hughes who makes up for their previous Wembley heartache, past matches between the sides this season suggests there will be much to look forward to.
In their previous two meetings this year, Hull won on both occasions although by just two points in March and seven in June. A repeat of that, and the pre-match hype suggesting this could be the best final in years, may well come to fruition.
