Chris Thorman admits the Huddersfield Giants Under 19s were bitterly disappointed to have tomorrow’s trial clash against Wakefield Trinity Wildcats postponed due to the snow.
But the Academy head coach and first-team assistant coach knows it’s hardly the end of the world.
The pre-season fixture would have been the Academy’s only warm-up game before next Saturday’s opening League clash at London Broncos.
There was also talk of playing a handful of fringe Super League players had the game survived the latest icy blast, including Tyler Dickinson, Kruise Leeming and Liam Johnson, who are all eligible to play in the Under 19s competition this season.
Yet even though former Giants captain Thorman accepts a run-out against the Wildcats would have proved productive all round, he knows the effect on the build-up to the new campaign will be minimal.
“I know how much the boys were looking forward to it,” said Thorman.
“But it really isn’t the end of the world. We still know that when they face London Broncos next weekend they’ll be ready.
“Because we’re now running a full-time Academy, it means they do a lot of full-time contact and opposed work with the first team on a regular basis.
“That proves a benefit to both squads. It helped the senior side when they went into their pre-season fixture at Halifax last weekend, and it’ll help the 19s when they go to London.
“It’s also the case that winning games isn’t the sole focus for the 19s, that’s the bonus.
“It’s all about developing players and improving their core skills, which is what we’re doing instead of playing Wakefield. That can be just as productive for this group of players.”
