New signing to form Giants’ dynamic duo

VERY few new signings have come to a club with as much anticipation as Akuila Uate at Giants this season.

One of the main reasons for this anticipation is the prospect of a wing partnership with England’s Jermaine McGillvary at the John Smith’s Stadium – something the Fijian shares.

And the 31-year-old, who has joined Giants from the NRL, believes the duo can cause some damage in Super League next season.

“Yeah, I’m actually excited about that. The way I’ve watched him play last year and in the World Cup, and to get to play again this year is exciting,” the former Manly Sea Eagles star told The Examiner.

“It’s been exciting and that’s the other thing that I got excited about to come to Huddersfield was getting to know Jerry and to play alongside him.

“We’re both wingers where we will also do damage in the middle. It will be exciting.”

Uate joins Giants with huge international pedigree and many may seem surprised that the Fijian finds himself in Huddersfield.

However, Uate revealed it was always in his plans to come to England and found now the perfect time to make that career step.

“I was always going to come over to Super League towards the end of my career,” he said.

“I thought, why not give it a crack now and bring my family over to enjoy the right here, right now of Huddersfield and enjoy another world as well?”

Huddersfield may not seem like another world to Uate much longer, however. The influence of Giants head coach Simon Woolford has made the transition easier for the winger.

“He’s [Woolford] been a massive help and, yeah, just making me feel comfortable and he’s just been good, man,” said Uate, who has also played for the Newcastle Knights and has 23 international caps.

“Now, I’ve just got to get the boys’ names and learn the accent, so I can understand them but, yeah, I’m keen to learn the football and can’t wait till Christmas.” Uate joins Matt Frawley in making the jump from NRL to Super League and just like Frawley, Uate was keen to mention the Huddersfield weather.

“It’s been my third or fourth day here. “It’s been really good, man. “Just got to get used to the weather, that’s probably the main thing. But I’m excited,” he added.

Pre-season is well underway for most of the squad and Woolford has been pushing the players to their limits. Despite the gruelling preseason, Uate is keen to join up with the squad and begin to get to know his new team-mates.

“I’m looking forward to getting back into the team and training again with the boys,” he said.

“I’m in rehab at the moment but, hopefully, I’ll be back out in the next few weeks and I’ll be back to train again.

“I’m really looking forward to it.”