Brett Ferres will head into his winter break believing 2015 has been a positive year – despite suffering a series of injuries and a two-match suspension.
The Giants vice-captain played a huge part in England’s 2-1 Test series triumph over New Zealand, coming off the bench in all three internationals to make a positive impact.
He produced a two-try man-of-the-match display in the 26-12 opening Test success over the Kiwis in Hull and then came up with a couple of massive defensive efforts to restrict the tourists to a narrow 9-2 victory at London’s Olympic Stadium last weekend.
And the back-row forward crowned a month that began with a hat trick in the 84-4 warm-up win over France with another outstanding all-round display in the decisive 20-14 third-Test triumph at Wigan.
Ferres admits there were times during last season when he wondered if he’d be in the England frame, let alone play such a significant role in a rare England Test series success.
But he feels all that frustration has disappeared after the events of the past few weeks.
“There were times when this year has been really, really tough,” said Ferres, who missed almost two-thirds of the Giants season through ankle, knee and arm injuries and his two-game ban.
“The periods of frustration have been massive, culminating in my send-off at Widnes and subsequent suspension.
“But when I reflect on 2015, I have to say it’s still been a positive year for club and country.
“The Giants finished third in Super League and we came within 80 minutes of reaching a Grand Final at Old Trafford for the first time, which is obviously a lot better than a lot of teams in the competition – although we still intend to do much better in the future.
“And then it’s finished with England, which really couldn’t have gone much better.
“To have been involved in every game and been part of a first England Test series win in almost a decade is a fantastic feeling.
“It’s obviously put me in a very positive frame of mind for next season.”
