Nathan Brown: Giants will tackle major task

May 29 2009 by Chris Roberts, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

GIANTS coach Nathan Brown has refused to let the early-season ‘Grapplegate’ controversy affect his side’s build-up to Sunday’s big Challenge Cup quarter-final clash against Castleford at the Galpharm Stadium (3.30).

Huddersfield secured a hard-fought 26-24 Super League triumph over the Tigers at The Jungle on March 14.

But the win was overshadowed by Castleford coach Terry Matterson’s accusations the Giants applied the ‘grapple tackle’ technique of grabbing an opponent around the neck.

That was strenuously denied by an angry Brown, who received support over the claims from RFL referees’ chief Stuart Cummings.

And Brown believes the grapple row will not have a bearing on this weekend’s events, and the sole foc us has been on preparing his players for what he knows will be a massive challenge.

“That particular debate is not going to change what happened eight or 10 weeks ago and it won’t have an impact this week,” said Brown.

“As far as I’m concerned, it’s all gone now and there’s nothing really for me and Terry to talk about over the issue.

“A lot has happened since then, and this week has been all about getting ourselves ready for a big game and giving ourselves the best possible chance of winning.

“If we do that, then we’re just one game away from Wembley. That’s what this weekend is all about, nothing else.”

The Giants are virtually at full strength for the tie, with inspirational captain Brett Hodgson having a late fitness test on his quad-muscle injury.

If the goalkicking full-back is given the green light he will take over from Leroy Cudjoe, with prop Paul Jackson coming in for Cup-tied on-loan wigan back-rower Lee Mossop.

Castleford, on the other hand, received a major blow earlier in the week when playmaker Brent Sherwin was ruled out with an ankle injury.