Giants boost as Ta’ai returns to pack for Wolves
SIMON Woolford is confident Ukuma Ta’ai will be available for Huddersfield’s next Super League game.
The Giants’ have suffered two defeats in their opening two Super League games, but have been without several key players against Salford Red Devils and the Catalans Dragons.
One of which has been the Tonga international, with a delay in his visa application forcing him to sit out the start of the campaign.
Ta’ai, 32, has made 145 Super League appearances in six seasons for the Giants since signing from New Zealand Warriors in September 2012, but what head coach Woolford called a ‘complex process regarding his clearance’ stopped him from taking to the field.
Giants were initially hopeful he would return in time to face Catalans Dragons in France on Saturday, however, the club are confident he will be available for the clash with Warrington Wolves at the John Smith’s Stadium on February 22.
And Woolford is hoping he won’t be the only boost to his squad, with Jermaine McGillvary also set to return after the hamstring injury he picked up in pre-season against Wakefield.
“Hopefully next game we’ll get three or four back,” said the Giants boss. “Ukuma Ta’ai will be back for the next game, Matty English got a head-knock against Catalans but will be okay.”
Huddersfield will, however, have to check on Izaac Farrell who was forced off in the second half.
“We lost Izaac in the second half so combination wise we weren’t as fluent as we could have been,” admitted Woolford following the 27-10 defeat to the Dragons in France.
“That’s what happens when you have struggles with bodies, the combinations aren’t as set.”
Although the Giants are still looking for their first win of the new Super League season, Woolford believes he saw enough in France to show that the squad will be competitive this year.
“We talked about our discipline at half-time and I thought from an effort point of view in the second half we were really good,” he said. “They scored a try off a ricocheted kick, but our discipline in the first half lost us the game.
“I spoke to the guys after the game. The reason we’ve come up short in the first two weeks is not the blokes who aren’t here, it’s the blokes who are. Coaches, players, we’re responsible for the first two weeks.
“But our first 15 minutes were fantastic. Our intent with our defence was as good as it’s been. Catalans struggled to come out and our catchers were coming out 30-40 metres outside our try line so that’s always a good sign.”