JOHN KEAR can’t wait to get his hands on the cream of Huddersfield Giants’ outstanding young talent!
The Batley Bulldogs coach knows he’ll be able to boost his Co-operative Championship squad in 2013 by calling on the Giants youngsters as part of the clubs’ newly-formed partnership.
Since linking up, former Huddersfield and England coach Kear has spent time watching the Giants being put through their pre-season training paces under Paul Anderson.
And he admits he’s excited at the prospect of being able to call on some of Super League’s rising stars.
“I think the squad at Batley is already looking strong, and being able to call on some of the young kids at the Giants would be the icing on the cake,” said the vastly-experienced Kear, who famously led Sheffield Eagles and Hull FC to Challenge Cup final triumphs.
“Myself and my assistant at Batley, Andy Jordan, have spent a fair amount of time at the Giants over the past month and I’ve been very impressed with everything I’ve seen.
“Not surprisingly, I’ve been taking a very close look at the youngsters I may be able to call upon, and I’m really, really excited about what I’ve seen.
“I’ve certainly got my eye on one or two of them, although I’m not going to name names, because I don’t think Paul Anderson would be too impressed by that!
“At the end of the day, it’s obviously down to him who he can make available to me, and I’m happy with that.
“To be honest, I think every one of the youngsters in this squad would be capable of doing a good job for me.
“I’ve been impressed by their level of skill and their attitude to the exceptionally hard work they’re having to do, but I’ve been even more impressed with their size.
“I’m a little ‘un, and I like to surround myself with big blokes, so I’ve felt at home with the Giants because they are a big side and a physical side.
“At this stage, I’ve got no real idea who I’ll be getting my hands on first.
“The plan is for Paul to give as many of his players as possible a run at St Helens and then we might be able to get a call on one or two of them for our trial game against Halifax on January 20.
“But, as I say, the ball is very firmly in Paul’s court.”
And Kear, who had five seasons at Super League Wakefield before joining Batley for the start of last season, is more than happy to go along with Anderson’s wishes.
“I know Paul really well and we’ve always had a great relationship,” added Kear.
“I feel Huddersfield are getting closer to winning some silverware and Baloo’s going the right way about doing it.
“He’s clearly identified where they can improve and, my word, he’s dipped into the recruitment market and done something about it. He wanted to build a side that had a big physical presence, and he’s not failed!
“I’d been chuffed to bits if they did well under him, and not just because of the great relationship I’ve got with Baloo.
“I’ve enjoyed every single visit to the Giants this pre-season. It’s always pleasant and amiable.
“And when you’re meeting up with Broughy and co you know it’s going to be eventful.
“There really is a tremendous amount of camaraderie among the players, and that’s going to count for a lot when the season gets going.”
