PAUL ANDERSON is hoping Anthony Mullally can now ‘push on’ after breaking his Huddersfield Giants’ tryscoring duck in the big 42-6 Super League XVIII Magic Weekend triumph over Bradford Bulls.
The 21-year-old former Widnes Vikings prop marked his fifth Giants appearance by scoring his side’s seventh and final try at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium.
Whether that will be enough for him to retain his place for Monday’s home clash against St Helens remains to be seen.
But ex-Great Britain front-row forward Anderson is hoping Mullally will make the most of his tryscoring display on the biggest stage and start to stamp more authority on team selection.
“We were all pleased to see him cross for the first time,” said Anderson, who has allowed Mullally to spend time on dual registration with Batley in the Kingstone Press Championship this season.
“We do still regard Mull as a ‘work in progress’.
“He’s working hard on his game at the moment and he is improving all the time.
“Hopefully, scoring his debut try will give him another huge lift and he can take that into training and the games ahead for us.
“Because of the strength we possess in our pack, he knows he’s having to bide his time.
“We are, of course, looking pretty healthy right now.
“But performances like the one he produced against the Bulls the other day will certainly help his cause.”
Mullally, who played for Batley in their Northern Rail Cup triumph at Keighley Cougars the week before, made the most of his chance against the Bulls because of the injuries to fellow forwards David Faiumu (ribs), Stuart Fielden (knee) and Michael Lawrence (calf).
But the trio are all closing in on their return to action.
