Joe Wardle would be happy having an extended run in the Huddersfield Giants back row – particularly if it means his good mate Jake Connor gets the chance to secure a regular starting spot.
Huddersfield strike centre Wardle marked his first game of 2016 with a strong display in the forwards as the Giants destroyed Hull KR 38-6 to open their Super League XXI account at the fifth attempt.
The 24-year-old Scotland international was straight back to his blockbusting best on his return from a quad-muscle injury suffered during pre-season training.
As a result, he’s expected to retain his pack place for tomorrow’s home clash against Catalans Dragons, with Connor remaining in the centres.
And that’s something Wardle gives the thumbs-up.
“I don’t think it would be the biggest surprise in the world if I stayed in the back row,” said the former Bradford Bulls youngster, who was full of praise for the work the Giants rehab team in getting him back onto the field two weeks ahead of schedule and in the peak of condition.
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“To be honest, I really enjoy it there, and I know that the more games I play there the more comfortable it’ll become.
“And the added bonus is that it’ll give Jake the chance to try and establish himself in a settled position. The start of his Super League career must have been pretty tough for him, because one week he’d be playing at full-back, the next on the wing, the next at stand-off and then the next at centre.
Huddersfield Giants Under 19s are hoping to make it two Academy triumphs on the trot this weekend.
Fresh from an impressive victory at London Broncos, coach Chris Thorman’s youngsters are ready for a much biggest test against City of Hull Academy at the West Hull Community Park this lunchtime (noon).
Giants Under 19s: Darnell McIntosh, Tyllar Mellor, Brad Burgess, Harry Woollard, Jack Richardson, Jake Wardle, Sam Wood, Izaac Farrell, Matthew English, Jamie Greenwood, Fletcher Gates, Jon-Luke Kirby, Billy Hayes, Connor Redgwick, Reece Boxall-Hunt, Liam Johnson, Ronan Costello, Sam Hewitt, Connor Hampson.
“But now he’s got the chance to get used to playing in the one position in the centres, which could arguably be his best,
“He’s definitely got all the skills to make a success of it. He’s got good hands, can beat someone one-on-one and is quite sound defensively.
“I’m more than happy playing inside him, and I’m very confident in what he can do for me, and I’d like to think he’s confident in what I can do for him.
“We’re also good mates and travel to training together from Halifax, and I think that closeness has helped us develop a good on-field understanding.
“Personally, I’d like to see us have the opportunity to keep on building on our back row-centre combination, because I do believe it’s got a lot of real potential.”
Wardle was, of course, one of three senior players who returned after injury against Hull KR last weekend.
Prop Eorl Crabtree (groin) and half-back Kyle Wood (broken foot and quad) also featured against the Robins, with Wardle delighted with the way they had all contributed to the triumph.
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“In the build-up to the Hull KR game, we were telling the rest of the boys that we were the saviours and would be the ones who’d make sure we started winning again,” added Wardle.
“So it was great to prove we were right!
“But, at the end of the day, the saviour bit was all part of the banter.
“From a selfish point of view, we’d like to think it was all down to us last weekend, but we know that would be far from the truth.
“We did feel we contributed, but I personally felt our front row should take a lot of the credit.
“I thought Eorl, Sam Rapira and JJ (Josh Johnson) were awesome, and provided us with a great platform.
“The key against Catalans tomorrow is to make sure we take things up another step and build on the way we played against Hull KR. If we do that then I know we’ll win the game.”
