Huddersfield Giants confirmed their top eight place with a 36-18 win at Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, but for Shaun Lunt what matters most is the form the team shows in the remaining four league games of the season.

Hooker Lunt, who made his return to the side after two months out with a calf strain, was on loan at Leeds when the Rhinos won the Grand Final two seasons ago having finished the season in fifth place – and the 27-year-old feels that confidence is what matters when it comes to the play-offs.

“When I was at Leeds we were fifth going into the play-offs, but the team was playing really well,” said Lunt.

“It helps to be in the top four, but what matters is how well the side is playing and if the confidence is there.

“You will find that if a team can click in the play-offs then, like Wigan last year, they will go all the way.

“What you have to do is treat every play-offs game like it is the Grand Final and try to be at your best for every game.”

The Giants were certainly at their best for 40 minutes at Wakefield as they led 32-0 at the interval, but Lunt admitted that they had let their level of performance slip in the second half at Belle Vue.

“We completed 90 per cent of sets of six in the first half which was great, but we came out for the second half a bit complacent,” said Lunt.

“You cannot do that in Super League because every team will pick up on that.

“Wakefield are a good side who work for each other and they came back at us – and you have to give them credit for that.

“But in the end we were good enough to hold on for the win which is what matters.”

And Lunt managed to get through without problem and was pleased to be back in action after a long spell on the sidelines.

“I was very pleased to get back on the field and to get through unscathed,” said Lunt.

“I have been a bit unfortunate with injuries this season with the calf muscle tear, but that is the nature of the beast. We play a tough sport and now and again you get injuries – it goes with the territory.

“But you have to crack on with things and it was great to get a good run out.”