Giants will look to replace prop Huby

tough pre-season schedule.

Giants managing director Richard Thewlis admitted the Huby situation had come out of the blue and at far from an ideal time.

“This move was not of our making, nor in our plans, and has come somewhat out of left field,” said Thewlis. “Craig informed our head coach, Rick Stone, only a few days ago that he was not happy here and Rick agreed to allow him to speak to other clubs.

“Wakefield then approached us and a deal was quickly able to be made between the clubs – that is the reality of the situation.”

Thewlis thanked Huby for his contribution to the Giants and also Michael Carter at Wakefield for his handling of the agreement.

“There is a lot of synergy and shared views between our two clubs relating to the game in general and the inner workings of it, so it was good from our perspective that Wakefield was ultimately Craig’s choice,” added Thewlis.

“Our focus, as well as the pre-season training programme, now includes further recruitment which, at this time of the year, is far from ideal.

“However, these are the cards we have been dealt and we move on from the past and look forward with excitement and confidence to the start of the Super League season.”

The Giants are heading to Warrington Wolves for their main preseason clash.

The Halliwell Jones Stadium will host the two clubs’ main trial game on Wednesday, February 1 next year.

That’s just nine days before the Giants and the Wolves open their respective 2017 competitive campaigns, with Huddersfield’s first Super League XXII encounter at Widnes on Friday, February 10.

Huby, who began his professional career at Castleford in 2003 before making 45 appearances for the Giants, said: “It is a good change for me, I am just excited to get out there in training with the boys and start enjoying the game again.

“I just want to be able to go out there and do well for the boys and hopefully achieve something, including building on the success of last season.”

Wakefield chairman Michael Carter said: “I am really pleased to get Craig over the line.

“When we heard that he was possibly available, we acted really quickly to try and entice Craig to our club.

“The fact that Craig was keen to come to us spoke volumes.

“I would like to thank Richard Thewlis and the Huddersfield club for their understanding in making this deal happen smoothly.”