Eorl expects new recruits to electrify Giants

ningham and Hull coach Lee Radford all expressed their opposition.

“I totally disagree with the rationale behind it,” said former Giants coach Smith. “I don’t understand the idea whatsoever.”

Smith said he expressed his concerns to Bennett, who was thought to be intending to attend only part of the camp since it clashes with the preparations of his club Brisbane for the new NRL season.

The RFL insisted Bennett will remain in charge and that the England team are now focused on the mid-season Test in May, but the about-turn will be seen as major embarrassment to the RFL, who were keen to support Bennett.

RFL chief executive Nigel Wood played down any talk of a club versus country row at an end-of-year media briefing. Huddersfield Giants training session at Leeds Road playing fields with Danny Brough (main picture), Ryan Hinchcliffe (far left) and Jermaine McGillvary (below) HUDDERSFIELD Giants club ambassador Eorl Crabtree can’t wait to see Australian recruits Jake Mamo and Shannon Wakeman in action when they arrive at the club in January.

Crabtree is backing 22-year-old full back Mamo, from Newcastle Knights, and 26-year-old prop Wakeman, a free agent who was playing at Illawarra Cutters last season, to have an explosive impact when they join head coach Rick Stone’s squad ahead of the 2017 Super League season.

Former England international Crabtree had a reputation for blistering runs at the opposition line and his is excited by what Wakeman, who was in the NSW Intrust Team of the Year, could provide for the Giants.

“Shannon’s statistics speak for themselves,” enthused Crabtree, about the prop who doesn’t count on the overseas quota as he qualifies for Italy.

“He made the most metres and had the most carries in the competition and Rick Stone knows what he offers and will be looking to get him as fit as he can be.”

Crabtree also felt that Mamo offered quality for years to come at the Giants.

“Jake is just electric and he has also got good skills,” added the 34-year-old.

“He has a lot of pace about him, so it is great to get him.

“He steps into a role where Scott Grix, who was a great servant of the club, provided a lot of communication.

“That might be something he needs to grow in to, but he hopefully has a really exciting future with the club.”

And Crabtree said that Stone’s pre-Christmas recruitment had provided a real boost for the Giants.

“Rick knows Jake well and has worked with him before, so that should be good for both of them,” said Crabtree.

“And he also knows about Shannon, so his knowledge has been great for us.

“When Rick came into the club he was in a difficult position trying to help us survive in Super League, but now he can look at the long game and set the club up for coming seasons.

“So the recruitment has been very good and hopefully will bring us a very bright future.” ■■Widnes Vikings head coach Denis Betts is confident of adding more new faces to his squad for the 2017 season.

The Vikings have already signed centre Tom Armstrong from Leigh Centurions and further reinforcements are expected at the Select Security Stadium.

Betts, who played for Wigan Warriors in two separate spells, has confirmed he is scouring the market and is confident of adding more numbers.

“I think we’ll have some more arrivals,” he said. “We’re in a pretty strong position with regards to the salary cap. I have got to put some more quality back in this side.

“I’d like to think there’ll be some movement either at the start of the season or not too long into the season.

“It’s late in the year with regards to signing players and the kind of players you’re looking for you have to plan for.”