HUDDERSFIELD Giants have hailed the arrival of Robbie Hunter-Paul for a second time.

His success when he first signed from Bradford Bulls for the start of the 2006 season was phenomenal.

By the end of that first year, the former New Zealand Test star had played a leading role in helping Huddersfield reach their first Challenge Cup final in 44 years.

And in his second season he made sure the Giants continued to be a Super league success, both on and off the field.

His ability to help raise the profile of a ‘sleeping giant’ was there for all to see.

Unfortunately, the demands of being a top professional since the age of 18 when he arrived in England to eventually become a Bradford Bulls legend, began to take its toll.

He was allowed to leave the Giants at the end of 2007 to join Salford City Reds, who were in a position to guarantee him Super League action on a far more regular basis.

Then he moved to highly-ambitious Co-operative Championship club Leigh Centurions before deciding to hang up his boots at the end of last season.

At 35, Father Time had finally caught up.

But while nature stepped in to force one of Super League’s most endearing characters onto the sidelines, the energy, drive and passion for rugby league in Hunter-Paul remained.

Having studied for a sports marketing degree at the University of Huddersfield, the Mirfield-based star, who is also now a successful pundit on BBC TV, was desperate to put his studies and vast rugby league knowledge to good use.

All he wanted was an opening to show exactly what he could offer off the field.

So, step forward the Giants once again.

Although he had achieved everything in the domestic game during his 12 years at the Bulls and is now an Odsal legend, those two years at Huddersfield ensured the club would always have a very special place in his heart.

As a result, the opportunity to become the Giants’ business development manager was a match made in heaven.

The Giants already know what Hunter-Paul can do and Hunter-Paul knows what the Giants can do.

It’s clearly going to be a massive career change for the now ex-inspirational stand-off, but it’s one the Giants know he can pass with flying colours.

“I believe Robbie’s skill-set to be unique in rugby league,” said delighted Giants managing director Richard Thewlis.

“He has always kept in touch with our club and assisted in many areas since he came to play for the Giants in 2006 where, of course, he scored for us in our first Challenge Cup final appearance for over 40 years.

“As a frequent visitor to the Galpharm and a student of the University of Huddersfield (who remain a key partner of the Giants) our paths kept crossing.

“And now his playing days are over we were very keen to explore with him his plans for a career and, after talking many times at length, we are delighted that he has agreed to come here.

“His remit is very simple in that we want him to grow our business, and in order to do that he will interact with a number of our departments here, but primarily the marketing and commercial functions.

“His enthusiasm for the task ahead is fantastic to see and the drive and energy he puts into everything he does will be of enormous benefit to us.”