Huddersfield Giants managing director Richard Thewlis believes the shock departure of Antonio Kaufusi has given the club’s younger forwards a golden opportunity to progress more rapidly up the Super League ladder.

Former Australia Test prop Kaufusi has announced he is to return home to Australia with his family later this month.

It’s a decision that appears to have come out of the blue.

But with the Giants having just recruited top Castleford Tigers prop Craig Huby and boasting some highly-talented young forwards who are being tipped for the top, Thewlis is confident Kaufusi’s loss can be overcome.

“Antonio has been a super professional at the club and someone who the younger lads do look up to,” said the Giants chief.

“His decision to move back home is a disappointment in many ways, but he is looking to the future and he has a great long-term opportunity for employment to pursue, which may not be there if he remained in the UK for another season.

“He leaves with our very best wishes and thanks for his time with the claret and gold.

“In terms of our squad Antonio, has been keen to point out that we have a number of highly-talented younger players in the prop forward position and we have, of course, welcomed Craig Huby to the club.

“The younger lads, I am sure, will now see their path to the starting 17 in a slightly different light and the competition in there during the vital off-season period will, I anticipate, be fierce.”