Friday Interview - Glenn Morrison: Trinity looking to Cup to enhance league prospects

It is even more than a place in the Carnegie Challenge Cup quarter-finals or a game which can re-shape their entire season.

For Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, their fifth-round tie with Castleford Tigers tomorrow could be crucial in aiding their chances of securing the golden egg of Super League football.

That is the view of captain Glenn Morrison as he prepares for the televised battle at the Rapid Solicitors Stadium.

While cup fever has gripped the town, with a boisterous sell-out crowd expected tomorrow afternoon, the Australian second-row realises the magnitude of the 80 minutes ahead.

“It’s like the ‘Million Pound’ game all over again,” he told the Yorkshire Post, with reference to the massive relegation decider between the fierce rivals at Belle Vue in 2006.

“We want to get the same result as back then. The fixture between Wakey and Cas has been built up a lot over the years as there’s so much tradition involved.

“But this time it’s more so than ever given all the talk about a team getting relegated and not getting a licence.

“Everyone is talking it up between Cas and Wakey and this will be no different.

“Both sets of fans will be out in force and hopefully both teams can put on a good show.

“We want to continue on in the Challenge Cup and go all the way but we know how important it is for helping our chances of staying in Super League.”

The Rugby Football League will decide later this summer which of the current 14 clubs will miss out on a place in next year’s top flight.

Given their problems in securing and building a new stadium, both Wakefield and Castleford have come under pressure as the ones most likely to fail.

However, Morrison is as aware as anyone that ground issues are not the only boxes that need to be ticked.

On-field performances are key and, although Castleford have led Super League this term while Trinity struggle, he said: “If it comes down to the start of July, they’re making that decision and you’re in the top four or a Challenge Cup semi, it wouldn’t look good if they kicked you out when you’re doing so well.

“Everyone is fighting to stay in Super League and a good run in the Challenge Cup would make it harder for the RFL to kick us out.”

Ironically, given the long history between the clubs who stand just 10 miles apart, this will only be the fourth time they have met in the famous competition.

It took 71 years before they were first drawn together for the 1968 quarter-final, which Trinity won 18-5 largely due to a virtuoso performance from dashing full-back Gary Cooper.

They failed to prosper at Wembley though following Don Fox’s heartbreaking miss against Leeds while Castleford knocked them out the following year when they edged a tight semi-final at Headingley.

Their last cup meeting was in 2003 when Wasaile Sovatabua’s try proved the difference but it is hard to call who will emerge on top tomorrow.

Castleford had started the season so well but, since a Good Friday loss to Trinity, have failed to win a Super League game in five outings.

Wakefield, meanwhile, have the confidence of that victory to draw upon but have struggled for consistency this year, unsurprisingly following the trauma of being placed into administration and seeing a trio of their leading players sold on.

“This is a cup game, a totally different competition where it’s like a final every time you step out,” said Morrison.

“We know they’re going to come fired up. Cas will be a lot stronger than that last time at Easter and both teams will be treating it as a Grand Final.

“They were top of the table after 10 rounds so they have quality there. We know it’s going to be tough and we have to find our A-game if we want to have a good run in the cup.”

The indefatigable ex-Bradford forward, who could earn an Exiles call-up following injuries to Huddersfield pair Luke O’Donnell and David Faiumu, will be central to their cause with his leadership and drive.

Morrison, who belies the fact that he is approaching his 35th birthday next week, is somehow yet to lift a trophy in his long career but this could be the best chance yet of ending that barren run.

“You look at our season and starting on minus four points (after administration) doesn’t give you the best chance when it comes to winning the league,” he said.

“The Challenge Cup is a different comp all together though. It’s hard to win but if we get victory on Saturday we’re in the last eight. Then it’s anyone’s.

“That’s another reason why it’s such a big game for us.”

Meanwhile, the ex-Parramatta star is bemused about the RFL’s decision to keep clubs guessing about their Super League futures.

Widnes were told in March that they would be promoted from the Championship for 2012 but the unlucky club which will fall will not find out for another two months.

“It’s not really fair,” argued Morrison, who hopes to extend his own playing career next year.

“Widnes can start building but everyone else doesn’t know where they stand.

“Wakefield can’t start building, neither can Cas. No one knows where their futures are. None of the players want to leave but the club can’t guarantee anything because it doesn’t know anything itself.

“It makes it tough. Everyone should have been told at the same time.

“If other clubs come in for Wakefield players and everyone goes and then they do get a licence, they’ll have no team and will have to build from scratch again. They’re behind the eight-ball and it’s not right.”