LUKE ROBINSON knows the Huddersfield Giants will have to stop Gareth Hock if they are to get their Super League XVIII campaign back on track.
While Huddersfield are looking to pick up the pieces of Good Friday’s shock 21-20 defeat at struggling Salford and avoid three defeats on the trot – they lost 28-2 at Warrington the week before – Widnes arrive at the John Smith’s Stadium today (3.00) in confident mood.
The Vikings stunned the competition with their highly-impressive 38-22 home triumph over Warrington four days ago.
On-loan Wigan back-rower Hock was in inspired form that day.
And Robinson knows he could follow up by destroying the Giants if they don’t learn the many harsh lessons from their Salford ‘no show’ at the start of the hectic Easter Bank Holiday programme.
“If we carry on from where we left off against Salford the other day then we could be in big trouble again,” warned Robinson.
“We’re all confident that won’t be the case, because that defeat hit us all hard and we don’t want an experience like that again in a hurry.
“But we know we’re going to have to show a massive improvement if we’re going to make sure we get back to winning ways.
“And one of the first things we’re going to have to do is stop Gareth Hock.
“I came through the youth system at Wigan at the same time as Gareth, so we definitely know each other’s games inside out.
“He’ll be a big influence for them, because he’s got that X factor. He can pull something out of the bag and create something from nothing.
“He’s a key player for them and one that we’re going to have to keep our eye on, or else we could be in trouble.”
The Vikings beat the Giants 26-22 in a round 16 shock at the Stobart Stadium last season, so Robinson and the Giants know how much a threat they could pose.
And the 28-year-old half-back also believes they’re a better side than the one which finished bottom of Super League last year.
“I’ve managed to catch little glimpses of them and they seem a much-improved side in those games,” he added.
“Obviously, Gareth Hock and (former Giants captain) Kev Brown have gone over there and they’re the big-name signings. It’s just a shame Kev won’t be able to play because of his ankle injury.
“It was always going to be difficult in their first year making that step up, because it was a transitional phase.
“The younger players they have in the squad now have a year’s Super League experience under their belts and will be better for it.
“The players they have brought in have added to the quality of the squad, so they’re probably a different proposition to what they were this time last year.
“They’re a better team, a better squad, and they’re going to cause some problems for us. They beat us last year at their place so we know we’re in for a tough ask, as you are every week in Super League.”
