NEW Giants recruit Paul Smith is to miss out on a dream date against New Zealand A this weekend.

The former Rochdale second-rower, who signed for the Super League club two months ago, had been picked for the National League I side to face the Kiwis at Leigh on Sunday.

But he has suffered an injury to his right elbow and will not take the risk of playing at an important stage in the Giants' pre-season build-up.

"It would have been fantastic to have played, but I don't know if it would have been worth it," admitted the member of this year's National League I Dream Team.

"I've also got some loose ends to tie up at work (he was in the computer industry before taking up a full-time Giants contract) and missing out on Sunday also gives me more time to concentrate on this.

"But it also means I've got no real rugby league distractions away from the Giants and pre-season training.

"This is a very important stage in my career. It's the first time I've trained full-time and I want to devote as much time and effort as possible to it."