Green up for Salford cup clash
Hull KR half-back Blake Green hopes to make his mark on Rugby League’s most historic competition in his debut year and is fully focused on Friday’s Carnegie Challenge Cup fifth round tie against Salford City Reds (8.00pm).
The ex-NRL player will go head to head with former Canterbury Bulldogs team-mate Luke Pattern when the sides meet at The Willows tomorrow, a challenge Green relishes.
“There are a few old pals of mine in the Salford squad and it will be good to go up against ‘The General’ (Luke Patten) and some of the other Aussies in there who I’ve played with and against. I’m sure we’ll all be having a bit of banter during the match,” said Green.
“We don’t have the competition in Australia and I always watched the Challenge Cup final on television back home so to be playing in the competition now is a great feeling and it would be a great achievement for me to be able to play in the final.
“Getting to the final would be a great experience for me. Especially as this is my first season over here. It’s going to be a very tough challenge for us to get there but we’re a capable side and more than capable of winning so we just need to put in the performances.”
Hull Kingston Rovers have had an inconsistent season so far in the Engage Super League but Green hopes Rovers thrive on the pressure of the knock-out Carnegie Challenge Cup competition and put in a god performance against Salford.
“We had a shaky start to the season but we’re all pulling together and things are beginning to turn for us and they need to, we’re halfway through the season and if we want to be in the play-offs and in the final stages of the Cup then we need to perform,” he said.
“The standard of opposition goes up as you get further in the competition and Salford are playing well, they’ll be keen to have something to say about our chances of progressing in the competition. They’re looking good and we’ll have to play well if we are to progress and keep ourselves in with a chance of winning.”
Tickets for the Carnegie Challenge Cup fifth round tie Salford City Reds v Hull Kingston Rovers at The Willows on Friday May 20 (8.00pm) are priced from £17.50 Adult, £12.50 concession and £7.50 juniors and are available by calling 0161 736 6564.
Tickets for the 2011 Carnegie Challenge Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday August 27 costs from £21 to £76 and are selling fast. Last year’s final was a sell-out and fans are advised to move quickly to secure their seat at the historic showpiece final. To book tickets call 0844 856 1113 or visit www.rugbyleaguetickets.co.uk
For more information about the Carnegie Challenge Cup visit www.carnegiechallengecup.co.uk