ENGLAND prop Darrell Griffin has admitted a pre-season run-out with the Giants reserves is just what he needs.
The 29-year-old front-row forward will face former club Wakefield Wildcats at Belle Vue tomorrow (3.30) as the Giants continue their countdown to the Super League XVI season.
But while the vast majority of his senior teammates are being rested for next Saturday’s final trial clash at St Helens, Griffin – along with Larne Patrick, Andy Raleigh, and fit-again duo Danny Kirmond and Shaun Lunt – will lead a young Giants squad into action against a strong Wildcats side.
And Griffin knows another game for him at this stage is absolutely vital.
“I’ve always had to work hard to get myself fit, and last week’s game against Hull KR showed I’ve still got some way to go,” admitted Griffin.
“I was blowing in no time at all and only played about 30 minutes. As a result, I stuck out like a sore thumb.
“Because of my time away with England, I only returned to pre-season training the week before Christmas and then trained for a couple of weeks since then.
“That’s a lot less than many of my teammates, and I’m afraid that showed last week.
“But I’m confident I’ll do a lot better this weekend – I really do need this game – and be in the right sort of shape for when the season starts in three weeks.”
