Wigan v Huddersfield preview
Huddersfield must succeed where every other club has failed in 2015 if they are to reach a maiden Super League Grand Final.
It is 15 months since Wigan last tasted defeat at the DW Stadium, which is the venue for the first semi-final against the Giants on Thursday night, live on Sky Sports.
Shaun Wane's men lost at home to Hull KR in the Challenge Cup but that fifth-round tie was switched to Leigh and they have enjoyed 20 straight wins at the DW Stadium since St Helens triumphed 16-12 there in June 2014.
Huddersfield pushed the Warriors close in the first round of the Super 8s when they led 10-0 and eventually went down 30-22, and they have one of the best away records in Super League this year.
But doubts still persist over the Giants' ability to win on the big occasion and skipper Danny Brough admits a play-off record of just three wins from 14 sudden-death ties going back to 2007 is irrefutable evidence that they remain one of the game's biggest underachievers.
"The doubters are proven right at the moment, we haven't achieved anything yet," said Brough. "If we win on Thursday, then we've reached the final but you've got to win the final.
"We've got a decent record against Wigan, we just need to do it in a big game. I'll back the boys this week to put in their biggest effort of the season.
"It will be the toughest game of the season I would have thought. We've got to stand up and be counted and do a job."
Brough's men were seven minutes away from securing a home semi-final as they led 16-8 against Leeds in the last round of the Super 8s last Friday but they were left shattered when the Rhinos staged their tremendous late fightback to snatch the spoils.
That earned Leeds the league leaders' shield and a home semi-final against St Helens on Friday, with Wigan receiving the consolation prize of a home tie against the unlucky losers.
"Huddersfield will know they were the best team," said Wane. "They didn't get what they deserved. I thought they were better than Leeds.
"I thought they were very, very good so we're expecting a real tough game. They are very well coached and they challenge you. My players will be mentally ready for a real tough onslaught.
"I think there are four very evenly matched teams in the semis."
After seeing the league leaders' shield slip through their fingers, Wigan are in danger of missing out on silverware for the second successive year and that, according to Wane, makes the 2013 champions hungrier than ever.
"They're very motivated to make sure they get something out of this year," Wane said. "And coming so close last week to getting some silverware, it makes me even more determined.
"So we are very motivated to make sure that Huddersfield see the best of us."
Wigan are set to welcome back centre or second-rower John Bateman after he sat out last week's win over Castleford, while experienced forwards Eorl Crabtree and Chris Bailey are back in the frame for the Giants.
Wigan Warriors: John Bateman, Matt Bowen, Joe Burgess, Josh Charnley, Tony Clubb, Dom Crosby, Connor Farrell, Liam Farrell, Ben Flower, Oliver Gildart, Dom Manfredi, Michael McIlorum, Lee Mossop, Sean O'Loughlin, Larne Patrick, Sam Powell, Matty Smith, Joel Tomkins, George Williams.
Huddersfield Giants: Chris Bailey, Danny Brough, Jodie Broughton, Jake Connor, Eorl Crabtree, Leroy Cudjoe, Jamie Ellis, Brett Ferres, Scott Grix, Craig Huby, Jack Hughes, Craig Kopczak, Michael Lawrence, Jermaine McGillvary, Aaron Murphy, Oliver Roberts, Luke Robinson, Ukuma Ta'ai, Joe Wardle.
