JAMIE CORDING is hoping the early promotion of new head coach Paul Anderson will finally kick-start his Super League career.
The 24-year-old back-row forward was restricted to just one senior appearance in 2012 against Swinton Lions in the Challenge Cup under previous boss Nathan Brown.
But when he was replaced by Anderson at the start of the week, Cording was named in the 17 for Sunday’s home top-flight clash against Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.
That game obviously ended in a bitterly-disappointing 35-14 defeat as the Giants suffered their eighth defeat in their last nine League starts.
Yet Cording is hoping that game could prove a turning point in his stuttering career.
“For the club and for the rest of the boys, that Wakefield loss had no silver lining whatsoever,” said Cording.
“We really thought we had the right mentality going into the game to get the victory we were all so desperate to achieve.
“Unfortunately, at the end of the day, Wakefield did the simple things right and we didn’t, and the end result speaks for itself.
“But for me, I was just so pleased to finally get the chance to show everyone what I can do.
“I know I didn’t come on until the final 30 minutes, when things went badly wrong for us.
“But I was still happy with my own individual contribution, and I just hope Baloo (Anderson) was, too!”
That’s made Cording confident he could be in the running for a place in Sunday’s side to face St Helens at Langtree Park – although he’s taking nothing for granted.
“Baloo wants us to go out there and been more aggressive and ruthless, which is what felt I did on Sunday,” he added.
“So I tried to get a lot of line speed and good contact and wrestle. I thought I did that well.
“That was one of the reasons I think he gave me the nod, because he knew that’s what he get from me.
“Do I think I’ve done enough to keep my place? I’d like to think so.
“I’ve had to wait a long time to play Super League this season, and the fact Baloo put me in his first side has given me a big boost in confidence.
“It shows he must have faith in me, so now it’s to me to try and repay that faith.
“I’ve got this year and next on my current contract, so the time has now definitely come for me to need to start playing more regularly. It’s a crucial time for me.”
