Match Preview: Huddersfield Giants (A)

The Tigers make their second trip of the season to The John Smith’s Stadium on Friday 26th May, kick off is scheduled for 7:45pm.  

The score finished 36-6 in favour of the Giants in sub-zero conditions in Huddersfield. George Lawler opened the scoring on the night with the hosts hitting back with 36 unanswered points, through tries from McQueen, Pryce, Bibby, Lolohea and Cudjoe. 

The Giants sit 10th in the table at present, one place above Castleford. 

Adult: £21 

Over 65’s: £16 

Junior (under 17’s): £6 

Junior Member: £5 

Junior season ticket holders will not be able to gain admission through the turnstiles with their season ticket cards. 

Please note that Ticket prices are increased by £4 at 12 noon on the day of the game. 

Also, be aware that The John Smith’s Stadium is now cashless, so the concessionary units within the stands will only accept card payments. 

Car parking for supporters will be £5 per car and there will be availability in the St Andrews car park on the day of the match. 

“Every game is important and a win for us is vital. If we take control of the performance and the things that we’re in control of, which is how we have applied ourselves this week in training, making sure we attack the game with some positivity and energy, play the process and complete some sets and look to dominate field position, you have to do that against Huddersfield.” 

“I expect them to come out firing. They’ve got loads of dangerous players in their side, but if we turn up we can give them a really good fight. Their pack is very experienced with Luke Yates and Chris Hill. Yates is playing well at the moment too but we’re ready for the challenge.” 

Bureta Faraimo and forward Liam Watts return to the 21 after serving one-match suspensions picked up against Catalans Dragons. Half-back Jacob Miller is back in the squad after completing the return to play protocols while Elliot Wallis who was cup-tied for the game against FC also returns. 

Chris McQueen returns to the Giants side as does Nathan Peats after his suspension.  

Huddersfield Giants: 1. Jake Connor, 3.Esan Marsters, 4. Kevin Naiqama, 5. Jake Bibby, 6. Tui Lolohea, 7. Theo Fages, 8. Chris Hill, 9. Nathan Peats, 10. Joe Greenwood, 12. Chris McQueen, 13. Luke Yates, 15. Matty English, 16. Harry Rushton, 18. Seb Ikahihifo, 19. Adam O’Brien, 20. Olly Wilson, 21. Leroy Cudjoe, 24. Sam Halsall, 25. Innes Senior, 29. Sam Hewitt, 32. Will Pryce. 

Castleford Tigers: 3. Jordan Turner, 4. Mahe Fonua, 5. Bureta Faraimo, 6. Gareth Widdop, 7. Jacob Miller, 8. George Lawler, 9. Paul McShane, 10. George Griffin, 11. Kenny Edwards, 12. Alex Mellor, 13. Joe Westerman, 14. Nathan Massey, 15. Alex Sutcliffe, 17. Jack Broadbent, 20. Muizz Mustapha, 23. Suaia Matagi, 24. Cain Robb, 25. Brad Martin, 26. Elliot Wallis, 28. Sam Hall, 32. Liam Watts 

Miller vs Fages 

An in-form Theo Fages is what makes the Giants tick, as well as the form of others around him and with Huddersfield taking a dip in form of late, they’ll be looking for Fages to guide them around the park. His opposite number, Jacob Miller, missed the Fords cup exit through head injury protocols, and his kicking game was sorely missed, something that now he is back, the Fords will look to use to their advantage. 

Westerman vs Marsters 

Its 13 vs 3 in this potential battle but for a very good reason. Marsters for Friday’s hosts is top of the Super League for successful offloads this season, with 27 under his belt, while Westerman isn’t too far behind him with 23. With two off the top offloaders in the league, one perfectly timed pass can split defences apart. It’s one to keep an eye on should either of them manage to get the ball free in the tackle. 

Faraimo vs McQueen 

Again, not in the same positions, but level in the stats. Both of these are their respective sides top try scorers this campaign, both with 6. McQueen has a habit of scoring tries against the Fords, and will need to be stopped, while a rested Faraimo will look to add to his tally on the right edge.