Giants must start with a bang says Wakeman

League encounter 24-16 soon after the start of the season, but Wakefield won the clash at Belle Vue by a narrow 28-26 margin, so the Super 8s clash could prove hard to call.

“We went close at Wakefield and that was a tough game played in the hottest conditions this season,” said prop forward Wakeman.

“But this season they have won one and we have won one, so I am expecting a really decent game.

“We are looking forward to it and we know we have to knock them down if we are going to do something in the Super 8s and get to the top four, so it will be a big game.”

For the 27-year-old, who has won one international cap for Italy, the Super 8s are a whole new concept, but he does not see it as a fresh start for the Giants.

“It has been a long season, so it doesn’t really feel like a fresh start, but it is exciting,” said Wakeman.

“It is certainly different for me and it will be a challenge for the team, but as far as the competition goes I guess I will learn as we go along.

“We need to win our early games and start off strong because we need to put our foot in the door if we are going to make the top four.

“We know it will be a real challenge, but we will give it a real shot and see how we go.”

Wakeman was a close-season signing from Intrust Super Premiership outfit Illawarra Cutters, and he admitted that the change to Super League had brought a few surprises.

“It was all very different for me at the start of the season,” revealed Wakeman.

“I really didn’t know too much about Super League when I came over.

“Back home we spend a lot of time watching the NRL and Super League doesn’t get much exposure – in Australia you only get to see the odd game every now and again.

“Having got here, I have found that it is a very different type of game.

“Lots of teams over here seem ready to take a lot more risks than teams would in the NRL.

“I feel here teams will run the short side a lot more often, and