WHAT a tremendous start to our new Super League season!

OK, we didn't produce the most polished performance in beating Castleford.

But for a first attempt it was encouraging and obviously our main objective was achieved - the collection of two League points.

I was reminded in the build-up to the game that the omens were far from encouraging.

The Giants had never won a Super League opener in five previous attempts, Huddersfield had won only one of their 13 Super League matches against Castleford and the last home success against them was at Fartown way back in 1974.

So you can imagine how proud I was to be able to put the record straight and exorcise those particular ghosts.

But I was also proud of the way the players performed in what proved a very testing challenge.

I always knew we wouldn't be at our very best at such an early stage of the season, particularly as we had four players making their competitive debuts.

However, the way Stuart Donlan, Stuart Jones, Chris Nero and Sean Penkywicz all fitted in to our exisiting squad structure left me feeling very satisfied.

And even though we weren't at our sharpest, I still felt we created enough opportunities to win two games. Had our execution been up to scratch, we wouldn't have had to wait until the final few minutes to have sealed the win.

Yet such was the nature of the game and the fact there were so many disruptions due to the concession of penalties, we were never really allowed to get into our stride.

I admit it was frustrating to see the referee blowing his whistle on numerous occasions, but complaining about his actions was the last thing on my mind.

Yes, a penalty count of 14-8 was relatively high. It's normally around a third of that.

But did you notice how this was the case at all of last weekend's Super League games?

It was something all the Super League coaches were expecting.

Before the start of the season all 12 head coaches held a meeting with referees controller Stuart Cummings about the way match officials should handle games in Super League IX.

Every one of us agreed that the referees should referee by the rules in a bid to clean up the game.

We've already seen that process being put into operation, with referees appearing to be whistle-happy.

I do know that's frustrating for coaches and fans alike, and I'm also sure referees don't enjoy blowing their whistle every two minutes.

But we all agree that this is a process we need to go through in order to clean up our game and produce an even greater on-field spectacle.

Adopting this policy of penalising every offence puts more pressure on coaches and players and guarantees that everyone in the frontline of the sport is forced to get their act together.

It should, therefore, only be a matter of time before negative tactics are wiped out and we witness games that are even more free-flowing.

That's what we all ultimately want to see, and the sooner it happens the better.

And as part of this process, it's obviously important for coaches to take a lead.

Producing a disciplined side has been an ongoing process at the McAlpine from the day I first walked into the place.

I have always strongly believed in discipline, because it's a vitally important part of a player's make-up.

Players can be tough and aggressive without giving away cheap penalties - penalties that ultimately impact on the whole team.

Good discipline will be a key element of this weekend's Cup game against Pia.

From what I have seen of them on video they are an aggressive side who get off the line quickly and get right in your face.

They enjoy the physical aspect of the game, and I already know the temperament and composure of my players will be put to the test.

I am looking forward to seeing the boys respond positively to the French side's approach, and I will be far from happy if, instead, they respond negatively.

That could play straight into Pia's hands.

Our game against Pia is, of course, just one of many interesting-looking fourth-round ties.

The pick of the bunch is clearly the match between my old team, St Helens, and Bradford Bulls.

And from what I've seen so far, my old Saints boss Ian Millward could have his work cut out.

It's not taken Bradford very long to emerge as the stand-out team in the competition, with impressive wins in the World Club Challenge over Penrith and last Friday's Super League success over Wigan.

They look to have improved their squad from last year with the recruitment of Logann Swann and Paul Johnson, although I do expect Leeds to be challenging them all the way.

Yet it is clear from what we have seen from the opening round of Super League that this should be a season of promise, and paricularly for the Giants.