PAUL ANDERSON has no doubt Craig Kopczak will build on a top Huddersfield Giants debut and become a major prop force in Super League XVIII.
The former Bradford Bulls front-rower was Huddersfield’s top performer during Friday’s 26-0 pre-season trial defeat at St Helens.
It’s a display that means the Wales captain has put himself in a strong position for a start in Sunday’s final warm-up game against Widnes Vikings at the John Smith’s Stadium.
With fellow props Larne Patrick and Anthony Mullally having also caught Anderson’s eye with solid opening spells at Saints and international front-rowers Eorl Crabtree and new signing Stuart Fielden ready to make their season’s bow, the 26-year-old Kopczak isn’t the only middle man eager to make his sizeable presence felt.
But Anderson has admitted his new signing has made the most promising of starts.
“Craig was a stand-out for us the other night, there was no question about that,” said Anderson.
“His challenge now is to build on that highly-encouraging debut, which I’m sure he can.
“His performance against Saints has come on the back of a strong pre-season training and I hope he takes a lot of confidence from his first performance with us.
“We’ll be looking to our forwards to lay a very solid platform for us this season, and Craig set the tone the other day.”
