DAVID FAIUMU will miss the Giants’ Super League opener at Catalans on Saturday.

The Kiwi hooker has returned home to New Zealand because of a family bereavement.

Scott Moore will start at No9 in France, with Shaun Lunt on the bench for a debut.

The news comes as coach Nathan Brown hopes to get the thumbs up from Wests Tigers star Liam Fulton to spend the season on loan at the Galpharm.

Brown, who expects Faiumu to return for the home clash againt St Helens, said: “Liam is really keen to come over here.

“He is one of several players we have spoken to but, as yet, nothing has happened.

“I thought we might have heard from him by now, but hopefully that will happen over the next couple of days.”

Catalans have lost French international Sebastien Raguin, out for at least six months with a knee injury.