Giants wait on Ferguson but Rapira is back
HUDDERSFIELD Giants will welcome back Sam Rapira to their pack for the next round of Super League – but they are still waiting on Dale Ferguson.
Former New Zealand international Rapira missed the 19-19 draw with Wigan Warriors serving a one-match ban and is in line for an instant return against Salford Red Devils away on Sunday.
Scotland international Ferguson also missed the Wigan clash due to a shoulder injury and he will hoping to return for the trip across the Pennines.
Already counted out is half back Martyn Ridyard, who suffered a shoulder injury against the Warriors, but new arrival Jordan Rankin, signed from NRL side Wests Tigers, is all set to make his debut.
Salford coach Ian Watson said his side would learn lessons from the harsh nature of their defeat in the last round 25-24 against St Helens ahead of the clash with the Giants.
“It was a tough lesson and a tough way to learn a lesson,” he said.
“We didn’t play particularly well in the first half but we rectified that in the second. We started to play with resilience in defence but in the last 10 minutes it was like we’d already won the game.
“If you do that against any good team you’re going to get bit.
“We need to take that as a lesson and learn it pretty quickly because the further you get down the track there are going to be big games where we need that arm-wrestle mentality.
“I thought Todd Carney controlled the game along with Rob Lui and we got into a big lead but we shouldn’t be giving that lead up.
“It’s tough to take but we will put it to bed and learn lessons for next week.”
Salford Red Devils v Huddersfield Giants (3pm), Wigan Warriors v Widnes Vikings (3pm)
Dewsbury Rams v Rochdale Hornets, Featherstone Rovers v Batley Bulldogs, Halifax v Bradford Bulls, Hull KR v London Broncos, Oldham v Toulouse, Sheffield Eagles v Swinton (all 3pm)
Toronto Wolfpack v York (1am), Hemel Stags v South Wales (2pm), Oxford v Crusaders (2pm), Whitehaven v Keighley (2pm), Doncaster v Newcastle Thunder (3pm), Hunslet v Coventry (3pm), Workington v London Skolars (3pm)