ASSISTANT coach Paul Anderson has warned the Giants to expect to face a Leeds Rhinos side ready to come out firing.
While Huddersfield head into tomorrow’s massive Super League clash at the Galpharm Stadium (6.00) in second place and on a six-match unbeaten run, champions Leeds are going through a stuttering spell.
After bowing out at home to St Helens in the Challenge Cup, they were beaten at Bradford Bulls on Good Friday and then suffered a shock 30-20 home defeat to struggling Salford City Reds on Easter Monday.
But former Great Britain prop Anderson, who was involved in some classic battles with Leeds during his playing days at Bradford and St Helens, knows it will only be a matter of time before the Rhinos are back on the charge.
“Leeds are a champion side, and we all know it won’t be too long before they start winning again,” said Anderson.
“There’s no doubt they have the quality of player in their squad to get themselves out of this tough spell, and we’ve got to make sure that isn’t tomorrow.
“We fully expect Leeds to come at us firing and as if they’re playing in a Grand Final, and we know if we’re not at our best they could make it tough for us.
“But we are heading into the game with our confidence high and with a squad that’s as fresh as we could hope at this stage.
“Like everyone else, we’ve had a tough Easter, but the squad rotation was spot-on and we came away with all four League points, which was obviously the aim.
“So we know we head into this game in a good shape and we’ve got to make the most of that.”
Apart from knee injury victims Liam Fulton and Andy Raleigh, the Giants are at full strength.
Martin Aspinwall, Kevin Brown, Danny Kirmond and Scott Moore are all back in contention after sitting out Monday’s win at Hull KR.
Opponents Leeds welcome back Australian winger Scott Donald.
Donald has missed the last two games with several niggles, while young centre Kallum Watkins is also named in the Rhinos’ 19-man squad.
Donald’s return is obviously a big boost for the Rhinos, whose fans are expected to turn out in force to help lift their team out of their current slump. But Anderson is confident the Giants supporters will easily out-number and out-sing their opponents.
“Everything is pointing to a bumper crowd tomorrow, which is obviously fantastic,” added Anderson.
“And I have to say the support we have been receiving has been fantastic.
“Our home crowds so far have been magnificent, and they are travelling in bigger numbers than I’ve ever known before.
“They’ve certainly been making themselves heard, and I’m sure they’ll be doing exactly the same this weekend.”
