Huddersfield Giants chief Richard Thewlis is delighted with the way the club’s 2014 squad is starting to take shape.
The minor Super League XVIII champions have this week announced the arrival of vastly-experienced forwards Chris Bailey and Antonio Kaufusi from London Broncos.
Both men are expected to add serious punch to the Giants pack, with Kaufusi guaranteed to provide valuable prop back-up for starting front-row forward Eorl Crabtree and Craig Kopczak.
And with the Giants expected to confirm the signing of Salford City Reds lightning-fast winger Jodie Broughton in the near future, Huddersfield will have extra pace in the backs.
To make way for the new arrivals, Jamie Cording, Matty Dawson, Dale Ferguson and Luke George have had to move out.
All four will be missed.
But Thewlis is confident that with the signings being made and head coach Paul Anderson’s determination to build on Huddersfield’s first top-of-the-table finish for 81 years, the Giants will be even better equipped to build on this season’s Super League Leaders’ Shield success and savour Grand Final glory sooner rather than later.
“We’re delighted with the ways things are going,” said Thewlis.
“We’ve already shown our determination not to stand still and go on and enjoy even more success in the future.
“Signing Antonio Kaufusi and Chris Bailey is a clear sign of intent, and to secure the services of two players of this quality and experience is a further mark of the progress we’re making.
“We obviously announced Chris at the beginning of the week and he was a hot property in a fairly skinny recruitment market for quality players, it’s true to say.
“He has had some stellar seasons for London and players of his experience are few and far between, with versatility of position being a key attribute of his.
“For him to choose our club was wonderful news, as his clear remit in talks with his manager and himself was that he wanted to come to a club with genuine silverware ambition.
“We have that and it’s good he recognises that and wants to add himself into what will be a competitive environment as we look to make further strides forward.
"It was a pretty similar story with Antonio, who has made it clear he wants to play in the biggest games in the UK and get more honours under his belt.
“His Australian NRL career was excellent and the challenge to him is to replicate that form in our environment.
“Physically, he is a huge man and he is very much up for the task ahead which is improving our squad and helping the younger players around him especially in the prop position where we do have some excellent prospects.
“His experience in the big-game environment and first-hand knowledge of the work ethic of the Melbourne club, where he came through to get International honours are attributes that can only benefit us.
“I am sure Giants fans will remember some of his performances against us in the past and will look forward to having him with us rather than against us.”
