Nathan Brown Column: Victory over Bradford Bulls gives us the perfect platform

Feb 11 2010 by Chris Roberts, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Rugby League reporter Chris Roberts puts the questions to Giants coach Nathan Brown.

Not really.

I spoke to (referees chief) Stuart Cummings earlier in the week about what went on against Bradford, and he agreed with me in some areas, although he did have some advice for us in certain areas as well.

But, overall, holding down is not an issue with us.

Once again, Brett Hodgson shone out for you last Friday, and you must have also been pleased with the way the likes of younger players Leroy Cudjoe and Michael Lawrence performed, too.

Yes, there were a lot of very positive contributions.

As you say, Brett was right up there again. He played great, and we all know important he is for the team.

However, once again a lot of what he was able to do was on the back of how hard the blokes around him were working.

And it goes without saying that includes Leroy and Bruno (Lawrence).

Leroy couldn’t have really asked for a much better start to the season for us than scoring the two tries, and he’s only going to keep getting better.

He’s already made 40-odd senior appearances, and this experience will only add to his confidence.

That can also be said about Bruno.

Although he’s still only 19, he’s also made about the same number of first-team appearances as Leroy, which is outstanding.

Not only are they both outstanding young talents, they’re also locally-produced players, which is something of which the club should be proud.

Could you give us a quick update as to how the boys who are still in rehab are coming on. Are Danny Kirmond and Stephen Wild the next expected to return?

All being well.

Of the two, Wildy is probably going to be back a little bit sooner, hopefully in about three weeks.

They’re both recovering well following knee surgery and have been working extremely hard in a bid to get back as soon as possible.

Danny still has a few hurdles to jump over and has a few fitness issues to work on.

But he did, of course, have a major knee reconstruction, and there’s no point rushing players back from an operation like that.

On top of that, Danny will have a different role with us this year as a front-rower.

We’re looking forward to seeing how he goes.