Basic game plans to achieve says Rankin

been around the Huddersfield system for a very long time,” said 26-year-old former Wests Tigers and Gold Coast Titans player Rankin.

“Chris played for the club, coached the Academy for a few years and he’s been assistant coach a long time too.

“I don’t think anyone deserves the head coaching role more than Chris.

“He has come in and made it pretty simple for us.

“He has given us some basic things to accomplish in the game, and there is no reason why we can’t achieve those things if we keep them in mind – and that’s what we have to do.”

Rankin, who was narrowly off target with a drop goal which would have won the Leeds game, played alongside Jordan Turner against Catalans, following the late withdrawal through injury of Danny Brough.

Signed by former coach Rick Stone, Rankin says his fellow countryman’s contribution at the John Smith’s will not be forgotten as this Super League season unfolds.

“Rick is an honest coach, he left his family for two years to come over here with the aim of making Huddersfield a better club,” said Rankin, who also had a spell with Hull FC.

“He took the club out of the relegation zone a couple of years back and into the top eight last year, so his efforts don’t go unnoticed, that’s for sure.

“But these things happen in rugby league. It’s a results-based business and, unfortunately, when the results are not going your way it’s the head coach who is first on the chopping block.

“That’s the way it went and we now have to galvanise as a group, hopefully build from what we did against Leeds and take it forward into the rest of the season.”

St Helens prop Luke Douglas has been charged with a grade A dangerous tackle during the Betfred Super League leaders’ 28-6 win over Widnes on Monday.

Douglas was charged by the Rugby Football League’s match review panel over his challenge on Vikings full-back Danny Craven but, as the offence is at the bottom end of the grading, he will receive no ban.

The panel issued cautions to Widnes prop Wellington Albert for raising his knees in a tackle by James Roby in that game and also to Hull forward Brad Fash for a dangerous tackle on winger Mason CatonBrown (Wakefield).