Warrington coach Tony Smith is predicting a 'mouth-watering contest' when his side face Leeds in Saturday's Challenge Cup final.
Wolves boss relishing return to Wembley against former club
Warrington coach Tony Smith is predicting a 'mouth-watering contest' when his side face Leeds in Saturday's Carnegie Challenge Cup final.
The clash features two of the game's most attack-minded sides and Smith is hoping for a Wembley thriller.
"I think it will be a good tussle," said the former Leeds coach. "Whether it is close at the end I'm not sure, but both teams have the potential to play good rugby league.
"That's exciting for the neutral and the fans and for us it's great when we participate in good, hard games.
"I mean it when I say I want Leeds to play well - I just want us to play better. It is potentially a very mouth-watering contest. Both teams are very attractive to watch when at their best and hopefully they'll be at their best."
Smith led Leeds to two Super League titles but his Rhinos side was beaten in the 2005 Challenge Cup final by Hull.
He put that right from a personal point of view by guiding Warrington to victory at Wembley last year but Leeds have not won the competition since 1999.
The Rhinos are determined to end their wait this weekend but Smith feels his side's experience of winning last year will serve them well.
Targeting
Smith said: "They've talked it up a lot, they are targeting the Challenge Cup.
"But in some ways I think it is a little bit more exciting for us now.
"When you've experienced it and tasted it you want to do it again. You know what to expect, you know the highs and can understand the lows. That inspires you to do well.
"I'm very excited about it and I am sure the players are. The way they have trained this week has been fantastic."
The Warrington side is unlikely to feature Chris Bridge after Smith all but ruled out an unlikely comeback for the centre.
If required, Sheffield United's Bramall Lane will stage the replay of this weekend's final on September 8.
