Hull hero delighted to pay his way to Wembley

The skilled Australian stand-off was imperious as they stunned holders Warrington Wolves 
16-12 in Sunday’s Challenge Cup semi-final to set up an August 24 meeting with Wigan Warriors.

But his performance was all the more remarkable given he had been given little chance of even being fit for the crucial contest.

Holdsworth had strained a calf in the 27-26 home defeat against Wakefield Trinity Wildcats on July 1 with fears he would not be fit until the middle of next month.

The Exiles star missed Hull’s quarter-final win in Catalan and seemed certain to sit out the last four encounter at Huddersfield.

However, Hull’s medical staff worked overtime to get him right and the gifted 29-year-old did his own extra stint, too.

“It ate away at me not playing in Catalan the other week,” explained the former Canterbury Bulldogs star, who had been a major winter signing from Salford City Reds.

“I actually paid for my own flight to go over there to get some physio for those three or four days they (the squad) were away.

“It’s the thing you’ve got to do and I’m glad it worked.

“It was a six weeks injury so it’s pretty amazing I got back but I worked really hard.

“Deep down, this was the earliest I thought I could return and that’s what I had my eye on.

“But it healed well and some things can happen like that.”

When asked how much he had to pay to join the Hull squad on that Perpignan trip, he smiled: “Enough. But it was worth it.”

It would be no surprise if Hull fans started a campaign to see Holdsworth’s expense reimbursed following his match-winning exploits against Warrington.

He showed his class for Peter Gentle’s side with a 40/20 kick as early as the third minute before continually turning their opponents with a series of relentless booming downfield efforts.

Moreover, Holdsworth came up with the requisite creativity to unlock Warrington’s defence for two of their three tries, firstly a clever pass for Richard Whiting and then an astute grubber which delivered what turned out to be Aaron Heremaia’s match-winning effort early in the second period.

Furthermore, the tall No 6 produced a crucial try-saving tackle on Chris Riley as Warrington threatened a comeback in the enthralling final stages.

“It’s always nervous coming back from injury, especially going into such a big game, so it was good to get it out of the way,” continued Holdsworth, who has been a major influence on the East Yorkshire side in his first campaign at the KC Stadium.

“You think you’re a bit rusty but it sort of worked out for me so I’m fairly happy. With Shannon McDonnell injured in the first few minutes we were playing with 16, too.

“They’re the wins you’re most pleased with when you guts them out like that.

“It’s always good blowing teams away but it doesn’t feel as great in the sheds as when you’ve toughed out a win like we did against Warrington. We’re very pleased.”

In-demand Holdsworth joined Hull in the belief he could go on and win trophies.

“I had a quick chat with Pete before and that’s exactly what I said,” he continued.

“The reason I came here was to play in the big games like that.

“We knew we had the potential in our squad to make the final –one or the other (Old Trafford) – so I’m happy.

“The last couple of minutes were really stressed as Warrington came back at us. It felt more like 10 minutes especially when (Lee) Briers put that crossfield kick to the corner. But we’d worked hard on dealing with those in training and one went our way for once.

“They are the heart-stopping moments where it can go either way so I’m glad it went ours.”

The fascinating game certainly restored belief in the competition after an embarrassing televised semi-final on Saturday when Wigan thrashed a dismal and inept London Broncos 70-0.

“They are impressive,” admitted Holdsworth about their final opponents and 2011 victors.

“They are a good team and have been for the last few years.

“We’ll have our work cut out but we’ll work hard over the month and get down to Wembley with a good chance and confident of what we can do.”

With Holdsworth in commanding form – he does seem to have ended Hull’s long quest to find a successor to Paul Cooke – and a pack so fiercely competitive, they should rightly fancy their chances of lifting the trophy for the first time since 2005.

Although Wigan had been long-time leaders of Super League and destroyed London, Shaun Wane’s side have lost three of their last four league fixtures to show clear signs of vulnerability.

Admittedly, Hull’s league form is poor, having lost their last five games heading into Friday’s vital home match against Widnes Vikings.

But, with victory in France and against a Warrington side that had lost just one Challenge Cup game in five years, they have shown their ability to rise to the occasion.

Keeping Holdsworth fit is key but Gentle also has a big question to ponder – who does he partner him with as scrum-half Richard Horne is nearing his own return from injury while young Australian incumbent Jacob Miller grows in stature with every game?

One thing is certain, Holdsworth will not be sacrificed.

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