Wednesday 29th July 09

Huddersfield Giants Eorl Crabtree has set his sights on building on his recent international honours by reaching this year’s Carnegie Challenge Cup Final at Wembley stadium on 29 August.

However, in order to do that Crabtree believes the Giants will have to overcome their recent inconsistent form and be on top of their game to beat the current holders St Helens in next Sunday’s Carnegie Challenge Cup semi-final.

“We’ll have to produce our best performance of the season to beat Saints,” Crabtree told the official Carnegie Challenge Cup semi-final match day magazine.  “We’ve not been brilliant in recent games, but we seem to have been winning games despite that – which they say is the sign of a good team. On our day we can beat anyone, and it needs to be one of those days against St Helens.”

After signing a new six-year contract with the Yorkshire club, the long-serving prop-forward is desperate to win trophies for Huddersfield whilst ensuring his form is good enough to retain an England place.

“I’m the longest serving player at the club now and I don’t see why I shouldn’t stay here for my whole career,” said Crabtree. “I’m from here, it takes me 15 minutes to get to training every day, my family are really happy, my testimonial year next year is going to be a massive year for me. I’d like to push for England honours, and with Huddersfield, my main ambition is just to win something before I retire.”

Crabtree has been one of Huddersfield’s form players this year and the 26 year old gentle giant is keen to pay tribute to his coach Nathan Brown.

“I’ve worked under coaches of really strong pedigree before and I thought I knew what to expect. Then in comes Browny and he totally confused me! But in a good way, I should add,” said Crabtree.

“Since Nathan came in he’s added dimensions to my game. We’re actually playing off the back of what I do really well and that’s been great for me.”

Tickets for next Sunday’s semi-final between Huddersfield Giants and St Helens at Halliwell Jones, Warrington are still available from the RFL and both clubs.

However, tickets for the final are still available from £21 and can be purchased via the RFL Ticket Office on 0871 226 13 13 or by visiting www.carnegiechallengecup.co.uk

Eorl Crabtree was speaking to the official Carnegie Challenge Cup semi-final match day programme. To pre order the magazine please visit:

www.themagazineshop.com/Group-Rugby_League.aspx