The arrival of Jamie Ellis has given the Giants a wealth of new attacking options for 2015.
That’s the view of head coach Paul Anderson after finally confirming the signing of Castleford Tigers half-back Jamie Ellis.
The 24-year-old former Leigh and Hull playmaker, who began his career at hometown club St Helens, has signed a two-year Huddersfield contract, with Anderson seeing him primarily as a scrum half.
Anderson has made it clear Ellis won’t be able to take a starting spot for granted.
But if the new arrival does strike up a good half-back partnership with Danny Brough, he could get the nod for the start of the new Super League campaign, enabling Shaun Lunt and Luke Robinson to share the hooking role.
On top of that, Kyle Wood will be closing in on a return to full fitness following a knee reconstruction in January and pushing for a half-back/hooker role.
And Anderson is excited at the prospect of seeing the new battle for half-back and hooker places to get under way.
“Jamie’s a very, very good young player who’ll give us plenty of options,” said Anderson.
“During Castleford’s fantastic season, he’s been playing more and more and showing his worth, with his kicking game really standing out, which is vitally important for us.
“It’s shown in the games when we’ve been without Broughy how we’ve lost some of our momentum.
“We know when he’s not kicking the ball we’ve not really got anyone to take over. Jamie will help to change that.
“And with Jamie around and slotting in at half-back – which is where we see him playing – it’ll also enable Robbo to share the hooking role with Lunty. That could also prove a significant shift for us next season.
“Jamie knows he’s not guaranteed a starting spot by any stretch of the imagination, because we expect Kyle Wood to be challenging again at the start of the new year.
“I’m hoping this extra competition for places will bring the very best out of everyone.”
