Jacob Fairbank hopes to help Halifax to Wembley after helping cows give birth!
HALIFAX ace Jacob Fairbank hopes to deliver one of the biggest Challenge Cup shocks of all time – after getting his hands messy by helping deliver calves on his family farm.
And he believes Scott Murrell will be alongside him at the club’s biggest day for 31 years, with his ‘chubby’ figure helping!
The half-back is rated doubtful after being taken to hospital in an ambulance after suffering a whiplash problem during Sunday’s Championship clash with Dewsbury.
But back-rower Fairbank is adamant the captain, described as ‘being just stiff’, will be alongside him when they face Super League leaders St Helens on Saturday.
“He’ll be there,” he said. “He’s as tough as old boots is Muzza.
“He’s been around the block, more than once, so he understands the game. He’s as tough as they come and he’s got plenty of cushioning to handle some knocks, so he’ll be all right!”
Fairbank, 29, has enough on his hands as Halifax prepare for their first Challenge Cup semi-final since 1988 against the runaway Super League leaders.
But helping out on the family farm in the hills above the West Yorkshire town sees him handling something altogether different.
He added: “I delivered a calf last week – it is just like what you see on TV, you just pull as hard as you can. There’s about 20 more to go too!
“I just get shouted, ‘You’ve got to pull a calf out.’ It’s better than going to the gym. It’s a workout but an enjoyable one.
“This is a bit of the unexpected. I don’t think anyone expected us to reach the semis of the Challenge Cup.
“Luke Robinson tried giving some tips about Saints the other week – in the end it was just a case of going, ‘Good luck!’”
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