Few players of 5ft 8in and a few pounds shy of 12 stone are quite so impervious at the back of a defence as Brett Hodgson in fulfilling the rugby league mantra of putting your body on the line. Bravery for Huddersfield Giants is not the least of the Australian full back’s rich and varied qualities.

It took a special performance in the semi-final to end St Helens’ three-year Carnegie Challenge Cup reign. After he had dived at the legs of the Saints' attackers in constantly thwarting their efforts, Hodgson displayed the cool-headed vision to create space and place a perfect kick for Stephen Wild to score the decisive try in a 24-14 victory that sent Huddersfield back to Wembley for the first time in 47 years.

Getting past the stripling Huddersfield captain presents Warrington Wolves with one of their greatest obstacles in tomorrow’s most even and eagerly awaited cup final for more than 20 years. For all it looks as if a strong breeze would knock him over, Hodgson’s uncanny ability to get back, make the crucial tackle, or dive into a thicket of flying boots and emerge with the ball is the overriding reason why Huddersfield have conceded fewer points than any team this year.

“If you stopped to think what might happen, you probably would get injured,” Hodgson said. “It’s hard but you can’t afford to be afraid. I’m in a position on the field where you have to stick your body on the line. Sometimes it pays off, like it did against St Helens. Other times you’re not so fortunate. As long as we come up smiling on at the weekend.”

Hodgson’s fortitude has singled the Giants’ little man out as the most slender candidate for Man of Steel since Jonathan Davies won the sport’s most coveted personal accolade in 1994. Warrington could do worse than look at the popular YouTube video of the famous occasion Hodgson’s counter-attack was halted during a State of Origin match by Gorden Tallis, the formidable Queensland and former Australia prop, who swung him round three times into the sidelines.

If Hodgson’s lack of weight can be a shortcoming occasionally, his wiry frame, elusive running and sense of adventure have helped to make Huddersfield an attractive as well as consistent side this season. That and a very respectable goalkicking tally. When he signed for the club last year from Wests Tigers, with whom he won an Australian Grand Final in 2005, Huddersfield had not yet made their astute appointment from St George Illawarra Dragons, of Nathan Brown, the youngest NRL coach.

“When Browny came in at the start of the year, I knew then just how serious this club was,” Hodgson said. “I’d spoken at length with my good mate from Wests, John Skandalis, who was at Huddersfield and told me it was a stable place with lots of potential. There were some negatives, though, from players who felt they couldn’t beat the big teams. Browny got rid of that with the belief he’s brought to the club.

“There’s a whole different culture here from the start of the year. There’s been a huge improvement in fitness and skill levels, but the biggest difference was our attitude going into the semi-final. We knew we had it in us to beat St Helens that day. When you’re playing off a forward pack like we have, you get more accolades than you deserve, but even I was rapped with my game that day.”

Remaining positive is Hodgson’s message to his team-mates, who can be assured that the man at the back will repel everything thrown at him. Having also lost a NRL Grand Final with Parramatta Eels, Hodgson has no desire to repeat that experience. “You never got over that kind of hurt,” he said. “It’s a feeling I don’t want ever to undergo again. If nothing else, that’s motivation enough for Saturday.”