Paul Anderson is demanding his Huddersfield Giants focus on playing the opposition rather than the occasion in their big Magic Weekend clash in Newcastle.

Huddersfield will tomorrow take on St Helens in front of a crowd of around 40,000 at St James’ Park (3.15).

That in itself increases the significance of the encounter and the need to put on a show.

But with the Giants desperately in need of the two League points to keep their fading hopes of securing a top-eight finish alive, Anderson knows it’s the result rather than the performance that matters.

“It’s going to be a big occasion, there’s no denying that,” said Anderson.

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“After the Grand Final and Challenge Cup final, this is the fixture that generates the biggest crowd. It also creates a party atmosphere, and it’s great to be involved in something like this.

“To be honest, it can be pretty easy for players to get carried away by the occasion.

“But, in reality, it’s just another game with the same number of points for winning it, so in that sense we have to approach it like any other round of Super League.

“Like any other game, we have to stick to our fundamentals and make sure we play the opposition rather than the occasion.

“Because of our need to pick up as many League points as possible to try and move away from the wrong end of the table, it’s vital we do whatever we can to win the game.”