Rugby League Coaching Manuals

But Sharp is putting all ideas of friendship to one side this Saturday (3.45pm) as he helps to plot the Giants downfall with the Crusaders.

And the Crusaders first team coach is convinced the Wrexham based side can pull off a huge shock and dump the much fancied Giants out of the competition.

Crusaders head into the unknown on Saturday after securing their first ever play-off spot in only their second season in rugby league's top flight following a hard-fought 30-24 victory over Hull KR last weekend that secured Brian Noble's men eighth place and the final play-off spot.

Their reward is a visit to red-hot Huddersfield, who are on a five-match winning run that helped them secure fifth spot in the table.

It will be an emotional return to the Galpharm Stadium for Sharp, who is relishing a return to the Galpharm stadium.

"Preparations have been going great this week," he said. "Everything has been really positive and the players have responded really well since the fantastic victory over Hull KR.

"The team is full of confidence and there is a real belief amongst the coaching staff and players that we can go to Huddersfield and get a win.

"I am looking forward to going back. I obviously spent five years there as coach and I enjoyed my time there.

"The Galpharm is a fantastic stadium and there will be a great atmosphere.

"I am excited because it is play-off football, we are playing a team that is in good form but we're also playing some good rugby as well.

"It's just not about me returning to the Galpharm, it's about the players and how they apply themselves this Saturday."

Sharp was succeeded at the Galpharm Stadium by Nathan Brown, who has done a sterling job, but the Crusaders coach still feels he deserves some of the credit for turning Huddersfield from Super League strugglers to play-off contenders.

"I think there has been steady improvement there over the past few years," he added. "Tony Smith started it when he was there and then I took over for five years.

"In those five years we went from finishing tenth to a fifth place play-off spot for the first time ever. We also made Challenge Cup final.

"I am really proud of some of the stuff I achieved during my time at Huddersfield. I look at the youth coming through the team now, and 90% of the team I recruited. The foundations were laid and I like to think I had some influence in their current success.

"Nathan Brown is a talented coach and he's brought his own qualities to the place. They have been playing well over the past couple of years and playing with plenty of confidence.

"There has been some real development at Huddersfield over the past nine years."

Sharp joined the new look Crusaders coaching staff for the 2010 Super League season, along with Iestyn Harris and head coach Noble.

The team endued uncertain and at times torrid start to the season before moving to North Wales.

And despite a tough start to the year, Sharp believed there was always a belief that the side had the potential to reach the play-offs.

He said: "It was in the back of our minds but we knew it was going to be a big challenge.

"I think it has been well documented that it was a tough start to the year. When we were down in South Wales late last year it was just Iestyn and me during the early months.

"For those early sessions there was just a few players there, sometimes only eight or ten with a couple of balls and a tackle shield.

"Now we are talking about play-off football and we should be very proud of what we have achieved here.

"The players have been magnificent, they have hit really good form in recent weeks and I am really proud of what we have achieved.

"I certainly believe we can beat Huddersfield, we have to. We're in good form ourselves and we have won five out of our last seven games.

"We're in the top eight; we realise this Saturday poses a massive challenge for us. We know we are underdogs, they are a super team but we head there with a lot of confidence.

"It's trap door football now. I truly believe any of the teams in the top each are capable of beating each other on their day."

Meanwhile, Crusaders have requested another batch of tickets for Saturday's play-off clash with Huddersfield Giants after their initial allocation sold out.

The club have asked for more tickets, which are expected to go on sale at 12.30pm today. Tickets are available on a first come, first serve basis and can be booked by calling into the club shop at the Racecourse Ground or overt he phone on 0871 221 9511.

Crusaders are expected to take record away support to the Galpharm Stadium on Saturday (3.45pm). Coach travel is also selling fast and supporters are asked to book their spot early to avoid disappointment.

Mike Turner, commercial director for Crusaders, admits the club have been astonished with the demand for play-off tickets.

He said: "Following last Saturday's victory over Hull KR, we were expecting a high demand for tickets.

"But we are thrilled with the response we have had from supporters. Rugby League has really captured the imagination of people in North Wales and we are set to take a record Crusaders away following to Huddersfield on Saturday.

"The players really appreciate the support and we want to see Crusaders fans rock the Galpharm this Saturday."