Huddersfield's Gary Haigh played a key role in Australia’s World Cup success – according to national coach Tim Sheens.
And the former Huddersfield police chief was on the victory platform as Kangaroos captain Cameron Smith lifted the World Cup at Old Trafford to prove it.
Not only that, the proud Haigh was also presented with a second World Cup winners’ medal by the Australians in recognition of his behind-the-scenes work over the previous seven weeks as the team’s liaison manager.
The former Giants chief executive was handed his first winners’ medal in 2000 when he took the role of liaison chief for the first time.
Since then, he has held the role six times, with this latest experience arguably the greatest – particularly as he was the heart of Australia’s celebrations after their 34-2 final demolition of New Zealand.
“I don’t think I’ll ever forget those moments after Australia had won this World Cup,” said Haigh, who still holds the role of the independent lead compliance investigator at the Rugby Football League.
“Just as Cameron Smith was about to lift the trophy on the victory platform, Tim Sheens invited me to get up there with everyone else.
“He wanted to show me how much my efforts had meant to everyone in the camp, and he felt this was the best possible way. It really was a great, great honour.
“Then, to cap it all off, there was a special presentation made to me in the dressing room of a winners’ medal.
“It was the Australians’ way of saying ‘thanks’, and that was another moment I’ll never forget.”
But there’s no question Haigh deserved his recognition.
As soon as the Kangaroos touring party arrived in October, the former Huddersfield YMCA RU player and chairman was working for them 24/7.
His brief sounded simple – to make sure their trip ran smoothly.
Yet in reality it can prove one of the toughest tasks around.
“Because I’d done the job six times before, I obviously knew what to expect,” he added.
“For a start, you know it’s going to involve a lot of hard work.
“Some days, it was a case of starting at 7am and finishing at two the following morning after attending a function with the tour party.
“One of the most difficult jobs I have to do is organise activities for the squad to make sure they’re not bored while they’re over there.
“They can take a fair amount of time to sort out, but when it proves successful it’s a good feeling.
“The most popular with the players was the day I arranged for them to go Ferrari racing in Wilmslow. Robert Wray, a friend from Huddersfield, made that possible.
“But there were also trips to see Manchester United and City games, visit United at their training camp, and get them to Jessie J and Billy Joel concerts.
“And to top it off, I had to arrange meetings with Prince Charles and David Beckham.
“On the flip side, I had to get Billy Slater out of prison in the early hours of one morning after he’d been arrested (and subsequently released without charge) after being attacked in Manchester.
“Other less glamorous tasks – although arguably some of the most important – involved my wife Anne having to clean all of their kit at our house. It was a bit surreal seeing all their shirts on our radiators!
“But I think my abiding memory would have to be at Wembley on the evening Australia had beaten Fiji.
“Cameron Smith had been randomly picked out to give a drugs sample, but because he was dehydrated it was 8pm before he’d done his duty.
“I waited with him to take him back to the hotel, which meant we were the last two to leave.
“That meant I was the last one to turn the lights out at Wembley, which is something not everyone can say.
“I’m sure that when I’m old and infirm and I tell that tale, people will probably think I haven’t taken my medication!”
Huddersfield Giants stars earn praise from World Cup winners Australia - click here to read
