Giants aim to build on Widnes win against Salford
Huddersfield were one of the favourites for Super League glory a year ago before an underwhelming campaign ensued-so coach Rick Stone knows the importance of a good start this time around.
The Giants play their first home game of the season against Salford today after an impressive 28-16 opening-round win at Widnes hinted at a brighter season ahead after they finished bottom of the 2016 table and narrowly survived relegation via the Qualifiers.
Stone arrived mid-way through last season from NRL’s Newcastle Knights in Australia so was forced to focus on survival.
But he has bigger goals this year, and says Huddersfield’s season could be shaped by their first six fixtures, which includes winnable games against Wakefield Trinity and newly-promoted Leigh. “A good start is important in every season but probably a bit more so for the Giants this season considering the way we finished last year,” Stone said.
“For us the first six games are really important and we can get some confidence and some continuity to help give us a springboard forward for the rest of the year. “I think the Giants have been under the radar quite a bit and I am happy to see that. “If you win more than you lose, you will be in the top eight and if you win a high percentage then you can keep going forward from there.
“If we can get the right kind of balance and a bit of luck with injuries I know we will be competitive.” Salford mounted a strong second-half comeback against champions Wigan in their opening fixture, but it was not enough to prevent a 26-16 defeat.
The Red Devils will be without injured second-row pair Weller Hauraki and Ben MurdochMasila against Huddersfield, while new signing Todd Carney is yet to receive a work visa.
“We know it’s in the final stages and hopefully we’ll have some positive news this week,” said Salford coach Ian Watson.
“He (Carney) is ready to come, his bags are all packed. “We’ve got to perform like we did in the second half (against Wigan) for 80 minutes.
“It will be a good opportunity against Huddersfield today to see if we have learnt our lessons.” In the only other Super League fixture this week due to the World Club Series, Leigh will host their first top-flight match in 12 years against Leeds on Friday.
The Centurions’ first game back in the Super League ended in a heavy 44-16 defeat by Castleford, while Leeds lost 6-4 to St Helens.
Despite that narrow defeat, Rhinos prop Mitch Garbutt was encouraged by his side’s performance and has dismissed suggestions Leeds are already under pressure in the race for the top four. “Pressure is what you put on yourself,” the 27-year-old said. “We don’t take anything on board from the outside. We worry about what we can control and we put in every week and prepare the best we can.
“We have had a really good pre-season. I’ve been to a few clubs and I can honestly say it’s one of the best pre-seasons I’ve been involved in. “A lot of young kids got what they needed to out of pre-season. They improved a lot and we are only going to get better,” he added. — AFP