Warrington's Joel Monaghan aims to emulate brother's Cup success

Challenge Cup final: Leeds v Warrington

  • Venue: Wembley
  • Date: Saturday, 25 August
  • Kick-off: 14:30 BST

Coverage: BBC One, BBC HD and online: 14:00-17:00 BST; BBC Radio 5 live: 14:30-17:00 BST; BBC local radio

Warrington's Joel Monaghan wants to follow in the footsteps of brother Michael by lifting the Challenge Cup against Leeds Rhinos on Saturday.

Michael, the elder of the two siblings by two years, played in both of the Wire's Wembley wins in 2009 and 2010.

"I've watched my brother go there successfully twice," winger Joel Monaghan told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"Even watching it back home [in Australia] you can see how much it means over here to win that cup."

He added: "It's the longest running competition over here and I can't wait to be a part of it."

Forward Michael also collected the Lance Todd Trophy in 2009 after being named as man of the match in their 25-16 victory over Huddersfield Giants.

While Warrington are used to recent Challenge Cup success, Leeds have not lifted the famous trophy since 1999 and have lost five of the subsequent 12 finals, including in each of the last two years.

But Joel Monaghan, who joined the Wolves shortly after their 2010 final win against Leeds, does not believe the Rhinos will be under any added pressure.

"It's got to play on your mind for a bit and it's not a record that you want to have, but they've had success in Super League and they're there or thereabouts in both competitions nearly every year," he said.

"They'll be looking, as much as we are, at getting out there and playing well.

"They've got a tendency to play really well in big games. They've got big-game players, who have been there before and done it all before.

"I've no doubt that you're going to see their best this weekend because they really turn it on for the big games."