Rick Stone has described today’s Super League trip to Warrington Wolves as the start of two massive weeks for Huddersfield Giants.
New Australian coach Stone sends his side into Halliwell Jones Stadium action (2.00) looking to guide his side to a win that would prevent them from finishing at the bottom of the table at the end of the regular season.
Victory would also put Huddersfield in upbeat mood ahead of the start of the Middle 8s a fortnight later when they begin their battle to retain their Super League status.
And Stone knows that the work his players produce over the next fortnight will hold the key to a successful Middle 8s assault.
“Today is the start of a massive two weeks for us,” said Stone, whose new club are undefeated in their last five meetings with Warrington, having won four and drawn one.
“We’re obviously looking to see a big improvement between this week and last week against St Helens (the 34-18 home defeat), and then continue to find that improvement between now and the start of the Middle 8s.
“And, personally, I think having a break next week for the Challenge Cup semi-finals has come at just the right time.
“There’s only so much I’ve been able to do with the players since I arrived early last week.
“But after today there’s a couple of weeks for me to really start to educate the players in the way I want them to play and for them to get more familiar with that.
“What we’ll be doing in this time is vitally important, and if we’re able to do that after a great performance against Warrington it’ll be even better.”
