Jermaine saysGiants ‘looking really sharp’
JERMAINE McGillvary has seen improvement in the Huddersfield Giants during the pre-season and thinks the side is looking good coming into 2019.
“Team-wise, I’ve been back the last four weeks, officially the last two – I felt I needed to get right before Christmas. They’re looking good, they’ve been playing a couple of friendlies against local opposition and they’re looking really sharp,” said the Huddersfield and England winger.
McGillvary went into rehab for an ankle injury after playing three Tests for England in November, but is getting back of the swing of things with the Claret and Gold
He said: “I’m progressing excellently, I didn’t think I would be running before Christmas but I’m doing that, and I’ll be in training on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve to make sure I’m 100 per cent fit and pushing myself and getting back with the squad for the New Year.
“I’m feeling great, my ankle feels really good and my range is back to what it was five or six years ago so the pain’s still there a little bit and there’s a little bit of swelling but I’m looking to shift that a little bit and be fighting fit for the new season.”
McGillvary excelled in the Test series win in autumn this year, playing all three internationals, confirming his place as England first choice winger.
He said: “International football is the pinnacle of your sporting career. Where I’ve come from, looking to make it in rugby league, make a living and a career of it, I never thought I would make a Super League player, let alone an England player and a regular one at that.”
The winger says playing for his country will probably be the pinnacle of his career, but acknowledges that playing good footy for his club side will stave off competition from a number of promising wingers looking to play for the Wall of White.
“It’s crazy, probably something I’ll look back on I think ‘wow’! However long that lasts – I’m 30 now, 31 next year – I’ll see where it takes me,” he said.
“There are a lot of players in my position now that are doing amazingly and really putting pressure on me but to represent your country, I don’t think there’s anything higher that you can achieve, and I think that’s why we all play.”
McGillvary is looking forward to the prospect of playing with new recruit Akuila Uate, and says his fellow England prospects realise how strong the Giants backline looks in 2019.
“A couple of boys know him from Australia and were a little daunted by him signing. My old coach, Nathan Brown, told me to watch Aku and see how he plays the game because he thought we were similar,” he said.
“He’s obviously a year older than me but he was at his peak younger and played for Australia and New South Wales. He’s someone I’ve kept my eye on and I’m sure he’ll cause some damage in 2019.”
McGillvary also spoke about the impact of the signing of former Canterbury-Bankstown Matt Frawley, with the half-back looking good in training so far.
“He’s been looking really sharp, I was taken aback by how big he was, he’s built like a back rower! He’s been great so far, really vocal and he’s got an excellent kicking game and a good left foot. I think he’ll be good for us,” he said.
“He’s still young and he’s got a point to prove, his aim will be to make a name for himself over here and possibly go back home and light up the NRL. If he can play his best rugby here, then I’ll be delighted – hopefully he’ll hit the ground running.”