LEEDS coach Brian McClennan has tipped Huddersfield as possible title contenders after watching the Giants beat his Rhinos for only the second time in Super League history.
Leroy Cudjoe kicked the match-clinching penalty four minutes from time in a hard-fought contest that saw Huddersfield’s Michael Lawrence and Leeds winger Kallum Watkins carried off injured.
McClennan, who has coached Leeds to back-to-back title wins in the last two seasons, was impressed with Huddersfield’s 26-20 win and said: “Their victory was easier than the close scoreline makes it seem.
“Super League is going to be a lot tighter this year.
“Huddersfield are one of several teams who have improved, and I am sure they will be there or thereabouts come the end of the season.
“It was a very tough game for us and, frankly, our performance was patchy. We started slowly, but got on top by half-time.
“In the second half, though, we rarely looked a threat, and Huddersfield won quite easily in the end.
“Jamie Peacock was one of the few to be consistent. He really burst through the tackles for us. Not enough of the others did that.”
