David Faiumu is already planning his first trip back to England – to watch the Giants in next season’s Super League Grand Final!

The popular 31-year-old New Zealand-born utility forward’s seven-year spell at Huddersfield came to an end with Friday’s 18-16 play-off home defeat to Catalan Dragons.

Faiumu is planning to stay around the town until he’s completed his degree in Exercise Science at the University of Huddersfield next May.

He then intends to jet straight back to his native New Zealand to be nearer his family.

But he’s every intention of keeping an eye on the Giants’ results when he’s back home and has promised he’ll be in the Old Trafford stands if the club successfully reach a first ever Grand Final.

“I’ll definitely be on the first available plane back to England when the Giants make the Grand Final,” said Faiumu, who played for the Giants in the 2009 Challenge Cup final at Wembley and was a key member of the squad that lifted the Super League Leaders’ Shield 12 months ago.

“And I’d love to think that’ll be next year.

“There’s certainly something very special brewing under Paul Anderson and Kieron Purtill, and with the quality of the squad they’re working with it’s not beyond the realms of possibility.

“It’s just a case of learning a few things here and then when it comes to playing the biggest games.

“And when they do that, I know the boys will go all the way.

“This club has improved beyond all recognition in the seven years I’ve been here – and I’d like to think I’ve made a small contribution to that – and they’re now very genuine challengers to lift the Super League trophy.”