I'd have no issues if Will Pryce played in the Betfred Challenge Cup final - he’s more than capable of dealing with what’s to come.
Whether or not the 19-year-old does feature against Wigan on Saturday, in what would be his first game back from a ten-match suspension, is another matter. Although Huddersfield are missing Theo Fages, coach Ian Watson has said Olly Russell is good to go after his hamstring issue picked up just eight days ago and he’ll start in the halves with Jack Cogger. So Will could easily miss out.
But I always think there has to be room for outstanding young talent like him somewhere in your side and he’d be a great player to have on the bench. He’s got pedigree and his dad Leon to lean on so he should be able to handle the circumstances of playing in one of our two major finals. Yes, it’s always a risk when a player has been out for two and a half months - a third of the season. But I think in life, most of the rewards you gain are through calculated risks that we have to take. Rugby League is no different.
There’s often doubts around certain players going into Challenge Cup final week but, as a squad, I always thought it important to know who’s playing where. And, if they’re in a pivotal position, like six, seven and nine, ideally you want them all training there all week. But Will’s not been injured so it’s not like he’s unfit.
It’s funny how I remember him as a toddler with Leon when we were together at Bradford. It’s happening a lot now: there’s Jack Sinfield at Leeds as well. It’s players I’ve known as kids who have developed into men and are now playing at Super League level. It’s great to see. It happens so often in rugby league where fathers and sons both play.
It’s good for Leon as well as it keeps him involved in the game. But whatever Watson decides on his squad make-up, I’m backing Huddersfield to win the Cup for the first time in almost 70 years.
For Wigan, their big inclusion is Tommy Leuluai who’s been injured since Good Friday. If he’s anywhere near fit, I think they’ll play him. His experience is invaluable for Wigan. They have a very good team this year but they have lots of inexperienced players. The ones you’d lean on are Liam Farrell and John Bateman. And you’d like a third person out there who’s experienced success and won’t be fazed by the occasion.
Leuluai is one of those players who settles the nerves of the other players in that Wigan team so they’ll do everything they can to get him on the pitch. I'm sure he'll be there.
I think it could be a really tight, great rugby league contest. Huddersfield are consistent, do the basics well, have great set-plays and I think Ian Watson is due a major final win at the third attempt. I do love how Wigan play this year: they are great defenders but they can attack and have two of the quickest players in the world. But I’m going for Giants to edge it.
BETFRED - PASSIONATE ABOUT SUPER LEAGUE
