The rival Super League coach has selected his favourites for Old Trafford glory.
Huddersfield Giants boss Luke Robinson believes Wigan Warriors remain the team to beat in this year’s Super League title race.
Matt Peet’s side are chasing a third straight Grand Final win at Old Trafford and will face the highest-ranked winner from the eliminators in the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, Hull KR are targeting a historic treble, having already claimed the Challenge Cup and the League Leaders’ Shield under the guidance of head coach Willie Peters.
But former England half-back Robinson believes the reigning champions are still the leading team heading into the play-offs.
“I think Wigan are probably the favourites,” said Robinson, who made 47 appearances for the Warriors across a decorated career.
“If Bevan French and Jai Field play well, then Wigan play well, and obviously they’re a champion side who have been there and done it.”
The Giants ended their regular campaign with a 30-16 defeat to Leigh Leopards, a result that marked Adrian Lam’s side’s fifth straight win. It secured their best-ever Super League finish in third place, ahead of Leeds, while Huddersfield finished the year in 10th spot.
Robinson believes the in-form Leopards could pose a real threat in the play-offs, having won nine of their last 11 regular games. They host Wakefield Trinity this Friday at the Leigh Sports Village, and a win for Leigh would set up a semi-final tie with rivals Wigan.
The Huddersfield Giants head coach continued: “But there are teams in there who can make it difficult and can cause problems, and Leigh are one of them.
“They’re a really good team who I think are going to cause some other teams difficulty in the play-offs.
“[Lachlan] Lam is probably the best half in the country at the moment or in Super League.
“I think they’ve got threats all over the field, they’re a really well-coached side and Lammy [Adrian Lam] is an exceptional coach.”