ESL ESL - Huddersfield - News, Views and Spews !

[S J]

Salford(4) 10

Tries: Sio, Sarginson Goal: Lolohea

Huddersfield (6) 12

Tries: O'Brien, Senior Goals: Sezer 2

Aidan Sezer kicked a late penalty to make it two wins out of two for Huddersfield - their best start to a Super League season for six years. Adam O'Brien's try put them in front before Ken Sio responded for Salford.

In a tight second half, Dan Sarginson's score put Salford ahead but teenager Louis Senior's try levelled the match at 10-10.

After Sezer's all-important kick on 78 minutes, Sio almost crossed for Salford but was crowded out.

Salford, who made the Grand Final last season, have now lost two of their opening three league games.

With the hosts having lost James Greenwood, who went off after a heavy collision and failed a subsequent head injury assessment, Huddersfield opened the scoring when hooker O'Brien darted under the posts.

Sio replied for Salford after being sent over in the corner by Niall Evalds.

 

[S J]

St Helens (10) 10

Tries: Thompson, Knowles Goals: Makinson

Huddersfield (6) 12

Tries: O'Brien, Wardle Goals: Sezer 2

Huddersfield Giants made amends for their heavy loss to Wigan as they came from behind to beat reigning Super League champions St Helens.

Adam O'Brien put the Giants ahead but Luke Thompson and Morgan Knowles sent Saints into a 10-6 lead at the break.

In a tense second half, Jake Wardle scored Huddersfield's second try as they edged into a two-point advantage.

Saints tried to force a late try as Tommy Makinson tried to play Theo Fages through but he could not connect.

The victory means Huddersfield move above Saints into fourth place in the Super League table and have now won four of their five matches this season.

Meanwhile, St Helens slip to a second league defeat this season and their first regular season Super League home loss since August 2018.

 

[S J]

Huddersfield Giants have released former Fiji and Australia winger Akuila Uate a year early from his contract.

The 32-year-old, who joined the Super League club in 2019 from Manly Sea Eagles, will return to Australia.

Uate's deal was due to finish at the end of the 2021 season.

 

[S J]

Half-back Oliver Russell has signed an extended contract with Super League club Huddersfield Giants until 2022.

The 21-year-old academy product's previous deal had been set to expire at the end of 2020.

 

[S J]

Huddersfield (8) 18

Tries: Ta'ai, McGillvary, Russell Goals: Sezer 2, Russell

Warrington (8) 19

Tries: Currie, Widdop, Lineham Goals: Ratchford 3 Drop-goal: Austin

Blake Austin's late drop-goal secured victory over spirited Huddersfield and moved Warrington Wolves level on points at the top of Super League.

Austin stepped up after Oliver Russell had levelled with a converted try for the Giants with three minutes left.

It was a see-saw encounter which was 8-8 at half-time, after Ukuma Ta'ai and Ben Currie traded tries.

 

[The_Fanatical_Rooster]

I got up to watch the Giants vs. Saints match this morning on FOX League (along with the Bristol vs. Worcester Gallagher premiership rugby match).

It was ordinary. Unfortunately, the Giants were never in it, at any stage.

They have signed Chris McQueen from the Wests Tigers on a three month trial.

 

[The_Fanatical_Rooster]

Chris McQueen was interviewed over there on Sky Sports. They didn't muck around in getting him over there! Apparently his Visa was fast tracked. It is quite amazing what can be done quickly when it needs to, even in this COVID environment.

Brian Carney is the main host on the Sky coverage. I remember him - Matty Johns' best mate from memory.

 

[S J]

Huddersfield Giants have appointed Ian Watson as their new head coach on a three-year contract.

The 44-year-old left his position at Salford.

 

[S J]

Huddersfield Giants have signed promising hooker George Roby from Warrington Wolves on a two-year deal.

Roby, 18, is an England academy international but is yet to make any appearances at senior level.

 

[S J]

Huddersfield Giants have signed England Knights forward Jack Ashworth from Super League rivals St Helens on a two-year contract.

The 25-year-old made 43 appearances for St Helens and has also spent time on loan with Rochdale Hornets, Sheffield Eagles and Leigh Centurions.

Head coach Ian Watson said: "Jack is a big mobile front-rower. Everyone sees his engine, his size and his leg speed.

 

[S J]

Huddersfield Giants have signed Australian half-back Jack Cogger on a two-year contract.

Cogger, 23, has made 42 National Rugby League appearances in his homeland for Newcastle Knights and latterly Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.

 

[S J]

Huddersfield Giants have completed the signing of Wigan Warriors forward Joe Greenwood on a two-year contract.

Second row Greenwood, 27, becomes head coach Ian Watson's latest addition since taking over at Giants last month.

He started for Wigan in their Grand Final defeat by St Helens, who he also previously played for between 2012 and 2017 before joining Gold Coast Titans.

 

[S J]

Huddersfield Giants have signed Samoa international centre Ricky Leutele from NRL champions Melbourne Storm.

The 30-year-old has made more than 150 first-team appearances for Cronulla Sharks, Toronto Wolfpack and Melbourne.

Australia-born Leutele helped the Sharks to a Grand Final triumph in 2016.

 

[S J]

Huddersfield Giants have signed forwards Josh Jones and Luke Yates from fellow Super League sides Hull FC and Salford for undisclosed fees.

Back-rower Jones, 27, began his career at St Helens, playing a pivotal role in Saints' Super League success in 2014.

He was managed by Giants coach Ian Watson during a spell at Salford Red Devils following a brief switch to union with Exeter Chiefs.

Yates, 25, played for London Broncos before joining Salford in 2019.

 

[S J]

Huddersfield Giants have signed full-back Olly Ashall-Bott on a 10-month deal ahead of the 2021 Super League campaign.

The 23-year-old began his career with Widnes Vikings before moving to London Broncos ahead of last season.

He went on to join Giants boss Ian Watson at Salford Red Devils on a short-term loan in September.