Related content

NATHAN BROWN believes his Giants must smarten up their defensive act if they are to  challenge for the Super League XVI title.

Huddersfield remain in second place in the table after their hard-fought 34-20 triumph at resurgent Hull FC.

It was an 11th success from 15 top-flight starts this season, with the Giants forced to dig deep to secure the  League points.

But Brown knows his side will continue to make life tough for themselves if they keep on conceding  tries close to their own line.

“At the end of the day, we went to Hull  and got what we wanted against a good side. We got the win,” said Brown.

“But there’s no question our goal-line defence is letting us down at the moment, and that’s a concern.

“We are a side that wants to do something in the competition this year,  but we won’t make an impact if we keep  on defending like this.

“The first try we conceded against Hull, for instance, was embarrassing.

“We’re giving away 10 points a game at  the moment, and that’s just not good enough.

“We’ve got a more talented team than we had two years ago, but we’re not defending as well as we did then.
“That shouldn’t be happening.”

However, Brown was still pleased to get the win and he added: “It was tough. Hull have plenty of good players who  physically knocked us about a bit.

“As I said, we weren’t great but we  found a way to win the game, that was the most pleasing thing about  yesterday.”

Once again Giants scrum half Danny Brough was a star of the show.

And with England coach Steve McNamara due to name his squad for the Origin Test against the Exiles on  October 10, Brown would be surprised if his No7 wasn’t in the mix.

“I’d pick him, but there’s no good picking and getting him to play a certain type of footy if that’s not how he wants to  play,” he said.

“You’ve got to play to their strengths. It’d be pointless picking someone and not asking them to play where they play at club level but I’m sure Steve McNamara will get his team right.

“From a personal point of view and a club point of view, we feel Danny has earned his opportunity. He’s earned his  right to have a game and is playing consistently well.

“He was again great for us yesterday, as was David Hodgson, who showed what a good finisher he is.”