Danny Brough is already looking forward to rejoining the Giants for pre-season training after experiencing the best year of his career.

The 30-year-old may have signed off 2013 by suffering a 40-4 World Cup quarter-final defeat with Scotland against holders New Zealand at Headingley on Friday night, but Huddersfield and Scotland skipper Brough doesn’t feel that’s taken the gloss off what has been an amazing 11 months.

During that time the goal-kicking half-back has been crowned Super League Man of Steel after guiding Huddersfield to a first top-of-the-table finish in 81 years, collected several other major individual rugby league awards and inspired the Scots to an against-all-odds last-eight spot in the World Cup.

And that’s more than enough to make Brough a happy man heading into a well-earned pre-Christmas break.

“That’s it for my rugby league year and it’s definitely been the best I’ve ever had,” reflected Brough.

“The last month or so with Scotland in the World Cup has been an amazing experience, and it’s just carried on from an amazing season with the Giants, when I lifted the League Leaders’ Shield.

“It’s a shame the time with Scotland had to end the other night, but it’s no great shame to be beaten by New Zealand. I wouldn’t be surprised if they won the World Cup again this time.

“But I’ve come through the game okay, and it’ll be great meeting up with the Huddersfield boys again for pre-season.”

Brough, however, has revealed he won’t be rushing straight back.

“To be honest, the next time I’ll see the boys will be for some pre-Christmas drinks!” he added.

“Between now and then, I’ll rest up, do some light fitness work and just freshen myself up generally for the start of next year.

“If the wife’s got anything to do with it, we’ll probably go away for a short holiday as well! But I am already looking forward to getting back down to business with Baloo and the boys, and hopefully trying to make next year even better than this.”