It must be Super League!

Jul 19 2008 by Chris Roberts, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

HUDDERSFIELD Giants will be handed a three-year Super League franchise on Tuesday.

That will surely be the case, given the quality of the club’s application and the events of this week.

The Giants clearly fill most of the criteria and are widely regarded as one of the stronger contenders for one of the 14 spots up for grabs.

In fact, the smart money right now is for all 12 of the existing top-flight clubs to be handed a licence, with a straight fight between three National League clubs for the two remaining spots.

Of those three, Salford look the favourites, with Welsh club Celtic Crusaders and Widnes facing the most anxious wait.

But why exactly does it seem so obvious the Giants will be in Super League for at least the next three years?

Like everyone else, Galpharm officials are still awaiting formal notification.

However, the fact Huddersfield have just appointed top Australian NRL coach Nathan Brown as Jon Sharp’s successor for the next three years suggests they must fancy their chances.

And when, at the start of the week, the Rugby Football League asked the Giants to make a public statement saying how much they were looking forward to going to Edinburgh for next week’s Super League Magic Weekend, it definitely sends out a very positive signal indeed!