Giants’ Ryan is ready for a whole new challenge

Giants ahead of last season, his only experience of Super League led to the battle of the Middle 8s last time out.

“It is a new challenge for us now and our goals have changed, but the chance is there for us now to kick on straight away,” said Hinchcliffe, who starred in Melbourne Storm’s 2012 Premiership victory over Canterbury Bankstown and in their 2013 World Club Challenge win over Leeds Rhinos.

“It all comes down to our preparation in the final stages of the season, but that is something we have done right over the last couple of months of the season.

“We have had some quality sessions from week to week and that has allowed us to be consistent on the field.

“We have to continue to do that but we also have to look to step things up a level for the Super 8s.”

However, there is the small matter of the final game of the regular season away to Hull FC tonight and the Giants will be looking to build on consecutive home wins, in which they beat Widnes Vikings 40-0 and then the victory over Leigh that confirmed their Super League status.

“Our defence has been a lot better in the second half of the regular season and that has helped us to build some momentum,” added Hinchcliffe.

“At the start of the year we were probably conceding around 30 points a game on average, but now that will be about 12 to 16 points tops – and that gives you so much more chance.

“If our defence is pretty good then the rest of the play starts to take care of itself.

“Also having a good defence shows that your attitude is right and, from that point of view, defence is a really big part of the game.

“As far as the Super 8s go we will have to take it a game at a