HUDDERSFIELD Giants' Ukuma Ta'ai is finally showing the form that made him such a big hit during his time with the New Zealand Warriors in the Australian NRL – and the Giants back-row forward couldn’t be happier about it!

Huddersfield played a waiting game over the fitness of the 26-year-old when he first arrived in West Yorkshire.

Delays in processing his work permit meant the Tongan international missed the whole of Giants’ pre-season training and, as a result, struggled to match the fitness of his new teammates.

But Ta’ai is now up to full speed fitness-wise and has been one of Huddersfield’s most consistent performers over the past month as the second-placed Giants have closed the gap to one point on Super League XVIII leaders Wigan Warriors.

After producing some monster ‘hits’ to help his side complete a hat trick of 2013 triumphs over champions Leeds Rhinos and then put in a productive prop stint in last Friday’s 60-16 home win over Catalan Dragons , Ta’ai can’t wait to keep on building with top-flight triumph No16 at Hull FC on Sunday.

“I’m finally starting to play as I’d hoped,” said Ta’ai.

“Baloo (head coach Paul Anderson) has given me some minutes and allowed me to keep playing and improve myself.

“As a result, I’m happy with the way things are going at the moment. I feel I’m helping the team and we’re going pretty well.

“I think everyone knows how tough I found it at first.

“My fitness was nowhere near up to the standard the coaching staff expect, and I didn’t know any of the boys or how they play.

“Thankfully, that’s all behind me now and I’m keen to push on.

“Because of the slow start to the season I’ve had I’m now starting to find my best form at just the right time, and I’m really excited about that.”