VICTORIOUS Giants coach Tony Smith believes his players are about to face a massive test of Super League character.
His side yesterday kept alive their hopes of reaching the top six play-offs by securing a 26-14 triumph over Wakefield Trinity Wildcats at the McAlpine Stadium.
It was a win that keeps them in the hunt for a place in the end-of-season shake-up, with attentions now turning to Friday's vital Sky-televised clash at Castleford Tigers.
It's a contest neither side can afford to lose if they want to keep their play-off bids on track.
And Smith knows his side will have to produce a far better performance against Castleford than the one against the Wildcats to guarantee success.
"As a performance-based side, I have to say I was disappointed with the Wakefield game," said Smith.
"I'm obviously pleased to get the two League points, but we're about much more than that.
"If we want to get anything from the Castleford game we're going to have to `up' our performance significantly.
"We've got four more games left now to determine where we finish in the table.
"It's going to be a real test of character for the boys, but I'm confident they will be able to pass that test."
That character was tested to the full in the game against Wakefield, with referee Robert Connolly doing the Giants no favours with the way he handled the game.
Smith refused to be drawn into the refereeing debate for fear of being punished by the Rugby League authorities, although he did admit his players were `tested out' during what turned out to be a stop-start affair.
Instead, Smith was more eager to point to the disruptions in the build-up to the game.
"After the week we've had, I'm just happy that we've got through this game unscathed," he added.
"Because of all the news of players leaving, players signing and the obvious big blow of losing Brandon Costin for the rest of the season with his shoulder injury, it's been a very distracting time.
"I just hope that now everything has come to a head we can just get down to business and be allowed to focus on these next four big games, starting with Castleford.
"Although we struggled to beat Wakefield yesterday, we have at least won all the games against the teams below us in the table, and that was important.
"We've now got to try and do that to the teams that are immediately above us.
"We'll travel to Castleford in good heart, but we know we face a tough task."
Match Report
