09 February 2024 , 17:10
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England star Jake Connor wants his Siddal amateurs to stop arguing with each other - and concentrate on upsetting big-hitters Wakefield Trinity.
The Huddersfield Giants ace has been an assistant coach with the Halifax-based community club for eight years. They get a dream opportunity when hosting star-studded Wakefield, only recently relegated from Super League, in Saturday’s Betfred Challenge Cup third round tie. Maverick Connor, 29, has earned a reputation as one of the most irritating players around who loves to get under opponents' skin.
But, as a coach, has he any players on Siddal's books he has to tell to rein in the niggle? Connor said: “To be fair, I think we’ve got a pretty clean team. They go at each other more than the other team. That’s their only problem: they’re always at each other!
“We’ve got a side of fit, tough, grafters. We play a nice style and are an all-round good team. But obviously we’re coming up against a great team in Wakefield. I know they’re a Championship club now but that’s a Super League side they have.”
It would be fairytale stuff if the National Conference Premier side did pull off a shock. And Siddal did famously give Toronto a run for their money a few years ago. But full-back Connor, who won the Cup with Hull at Wembley in 2017, comes out in cold sweats looking at the opposition.
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His former Huddersfield and England team-mate Jermaine McGillvary is on the right wing and Josh Griffin, who was part of that victorious Hull side, is also in Daryl Powell’s team along with World Cup finalist Luke Gale. Connor said: “Jez and Griff are on the same flank. I started doing video the other day and turned it off. I thought ‘what’s the point?!’
Huddersfield Giants' Jake Connor, who's assistant coach at Siddal (John Clifton/SWpix.com)“I can’t give Siddal too much information as obviously they’re not professional players. I’ve said just to go enjoy themselves. It’s probably never going to happen again. I know you can face Championship teams at this stage of the Cup but, let’s be honest, Wakefield are a Super League team.
“And to get them at home it’s brilliant. I don’t know if it will ever happen again. Our Siddal lads have always wondered what it’s like to face Super League players - and they are going to find out!”
Siddal’s tiny ground, nestled amid a picturesque backdrop of the Pennines, is a sell-out. And Connor, who starts Huddersfield’s new Super League season at Leigh next Friday, said: “Our lads are buzzing. It’s good Wakefield are bringing a full-strength side. If they brought a second string and we lose by 20 points, so what? You’d rather play their top players and find out what it’s all about. I’m excited for them.”