Hull’s tough guys want to crush Huddersfield Giants

Feb 12 2010 by Chris Roberts, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

GIANTS chief Nathan Brown believes his players are ready to face what he knows will be a massive Super League challenge at resurgent Hull FC at the KC Stadium tonight (8.00).

Both sides opened their 2010 campaigns with excellent opening-night triumphs.

While the Giants were working overtime to beat Bradford Bulls 24-12 at the Galpharm last Friday, Hull were cruising to a 32-12 triumph at St Helens 24 hours later.

At the heart of the visitors’ success that night were new signings Sean Long and top Australian forwards Craig Fitzgibbon and Mark O’Meley.

Legendary St Helens scrum half Long is still rated as one of the world’s best No7s, while Brown knows all about the potential threat of back-rower Fitzgibbon and prop O’Meley – or Ogre as he is known throughout the game – from their time in the Australian NRL.

And although Brown’s Giants will travel across to the east coast feeling confident and in good shape, the Galpharm chief knows his men will need to be at their best to keep such talented players at bay as they look to repeat last season’s magnificent 24-0 win at the KC on July 31.

“Although it was difficult to see much of their performance in the win at St Helens last Saturday because of the mist, they look to be shaping up well,” said Brown.

“Fortunately, I was able to take a good look at them in their trial game against Hull KR last month, and it’s fair to say they are quite an improved team.